Ultrasound characteristics of bruises and their correlation to cutaneous appearance.
OBJECTIVE
The primary objective of this study was to compare the cutaneous size of a bruise on gross exam to the subcutaneous depth and height of the hematoma ascertained by ultrasound. The hypothesis was that there would be little correlation between the area of the bruise on cutaneous exam and the height when measured with ultrasound.


METHODS
Adult and pediatric patients with bruising were prospectively identified in the emergency department. Photographs and ultrasound images were collected of the bruises and epidemiologic information collected from the patients. The cutaneous area of the bruise was compared with the sonographic characteristics.


RESULTS
The subcutaneous depth and height of the hematomas defined by ultrasound did not correlate with the cutaneous area.


CONCLUSIONS
The cutaneous appearance of a bruise gives little indication of the depth and size of the subcutaneous bruise. Ultrasound can add information regarding these parameters.
USC, School of Medicine, 1975 Zonal, KAM 500, Los Angeles, CA 90089-9034, United States. Electronic address: thelm@usc.edu.
Travis
T
Helm
Department of Emergency Medicine, USC, Keck School of Medicine 1200 North State Street, 1011 , Los Angeles, CA 90033, United States. Electronic address: Cynthia.bir@gmail.com.
Cynthia
C
Bir
Department of Emergency Medicine, USC, Keck School of Medicine 1200 North State Street, 1011 , Los Angeles, CA 90033, United States. Electronic address: mchilstrom@gmail.com.
Mikaela
M
Chilstrom
Department of Emergency Medicine, USC, Keck School of Medicine 1200 North State Street, 1011 , Los Angeles, CA 90033, United States. Electronic address: iaclaudius@gmail.com.
Ilene
I
Claudius
D003288:Contusions / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D012867:Skin; D014463:Ultrasonography
Abuse; Contusion; Ultrasound