Comparison of thoracic ultrasound, clinical acumen, and radiography in patients with minor chest injury.
BACKGROUND
This study was designed to compare ultrasonography, clinical findings, and radiography in the detection of rib and sternal fractures.


METHODS
In a prospective study, 88 patients presenting consecutively to an emergency department with isolated blunt chest injury of mild to moderate force were recruited.


RESULTS
Ultrasonography yielded a sensitivity of 80.3 (95% confidence interval [CI], 69.5-88.5) for detecting chest wall fractures compared with sensitivities of 26.0 (95% CI, 15.8-36.3) for clinical acumen and 23.7 (95% CI, 14.7-34.8) for radiography.


CONCLUSIONS
Early ultrasonography is more accurate than clinical and radiologic evaluation at detecting rib and sternal fractures.
Rainer
Timothy H
TH
Accident and Emergency Medicine Academic Unit, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. rainer1091@cuhk.edu.hk
Griffith
James F
JF
Lam
Eric
E
Lam
Peggo K W
PK
Metreweli
Constantine
C
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010808:Physical Examination; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography