title: Diagnosis of metacarpal fracture with equivocal x-ray by point-of-care ultrasound: a case report.
abstract: Metacarpal fractures represent a very common injury among patients presenting to the emergency department. Diagnosis is of utmost importance given the high morbidity associated with lack of full hand function. We report a case of a 37-year-old man who sustained extremity trauma after a mechanical fall. He presented with an examination that revealed diffuse tenderness over the wrist and hand. X-ray of the hand was equivocal for a metacarpal fracture; however, point-of-care ultrasound revealed disruption of the bony cortex confirming the diagnosis. The patient was splinted and referred for follow-up with a hand specialist. Point-of-care ultrasound may be useful for the diagnosis of hand fractures, which may reduce health care costs and radiation exposure in the future.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ruskis
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kummer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D050279:Metacarpal Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D011859:Radiography; D014463:Ultrasonography