title: The comparison of bedside point-of-care ultrasound and computed tomography in elbow injuries.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the study was to compare the efficacy of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) and computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of the fracture of the bones that form the elbow joint and the determination of treatment method in elbow injuries.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-nine patients aged 5 to 65 years, who were admitted with low-energy elbow injuries, had at least 1 fracture of the elbow joint bones, and underwent CT scanning, were included in this study. Before the initiation of the study, orthopedic surgeons and emergency physicians determined a common treatment based on the fracture characteristics. Patients were first evaluated with direct radiography, and then with POCUS by trained emergency physicians. Emergency physicians made treatment decisions based on the ultrasonography results. Then, CT scans were performed. The CT images were interpreted by radiologists. Orthopedic surgeons made treatment decisions based on the CT interpretations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-nine patients with elbow injury were included in the study. Eighteen (37%) patients were women, and 31 (63%) were men. The mean age was 21 ± 15 years. Compared with CT, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of POCUS in fracture detection were 97%, 88%, 94%, and 93%, respectively. Although the sensitivity and specificity of POCUS in the decision for reduction were 95% and 100%, respectively, it was 93% and 100% in the decision for surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, POCUS was shown to be successfully applied in the diagnosis and management of elbow injuries, in which direct radiography was inefficient and CT scans were required.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine,Antalya Education and Research Hospital, Antalya, Turkey. Electronic address: dravcimustafa@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Avcı
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine,Antalya Education and Research Hospital, Antalya, Turkey. Electronic address: nalankozaci@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Nalan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kozacı
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine,Antalya Education and Research Hospital, Antalya, Turkey. Electronic address: inan_beydilli@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: İnan
authors.initials: İ
authors.lastname: Beydilli
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine,Antalya Education and Research Hospital, Antalya, Turkey. Electronic address: fevzi_yilmaz2002@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Fevzi
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Yılmaz
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine,Erzincan University Mengucek Gazi Training and Research Hospital, Erzincan, Turkey. Electronic address: onureden@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Arif Onur
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Eden
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Antalya Training and Research Hospital, Antalya, Turkey. Electronic address: sturhan@dr.com.
authors.forename: Sadullah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Turhan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D014458:Ulna Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult; D000092464:Elbow Injuries