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Ultrasound evaluation of elbow fractures in children

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Abstract

Purpose

Elbow fractures are a common pathology in any pediatric emergency unit. X-ray of the elbow is the standard diagnostic procedure. Previous studies have shown that fractures can also be visualized by ultrasound (US). The aim of our study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of US in comparison to X-rays in diagnosing pediatric elbow fractures.

Methods

Sixty-seven patients aged 1–13 years with clinically suspected elbow fracture were first examined by US followed by standard two-plane radiographs. US examination was done with a 12-MHz linear probe from seven longitudinal positions across the distal humerus and additionally from longitudinal positions across the radial head and olecranon. The sonographic and radiological findings were compared in a contingency table, and sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the US diagnostic procedure were calculated.

Results

With X-ray, we found 48 patients with an elbow fracture and 19 patients with no fracture. With US, we found 46 patients with an elbow fracture and 21 patients with no fracture. In comparison to X-ray diagnosis, we calculated for US diagnosis a sensitivity of 97.9 %, a specificity of 95 %, a negative predictive value of 95 %, and a positive predictive value of 97.9 %.

Conclusion

Typical elbow fractures in children could also be visualized by US. A positive fat pad sign, in particular, serves as a strong indicator for elbow joint fractures and can be identified very sensitively by US. We confirm US as a valuable primary screening tool for elbow injuries in children. In the absence of US signs of fracture and in sonographically confirmed non-displaced fractures, standard X-rays are dispensable, thereby minimizing the X-ray burden in children without loss of diagnostic safety.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Klinik für Kinderchirurgie, Elisabeth-Krankenhaus Essen, Klara-Kopp-Weg 1, 45138, Essen, Germany

    Kolja Eckert, Elke Radeloff & Peter Liedgens

  2. Klinik für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie, Klinikum Duisburg, Zu den Rehwiesen 9, 47055, Duisburg, Germany

    Ole Ackermann

  3. Institut für Diagnostische und Interventionelle Radiologie und Neuroradiologie, Universitätsklinikum Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122, Essen, Germany

    Bernd Schweiger

Authors
  1. Kolja Eckert
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  2. Ole Ackermann
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  3. Bernd Schweiger
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  4. Elke Radeloff
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  5. Peter Liedgens
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Correspondence to Kolja Eckert.

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Eckert, K., Ackermann, O., Schweiger, B. et al. Ultrasound evaluation of elbow fractures in children. J Med Ultrasonics 40, 443–451 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10396-013-0446-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10396-013-0446-3

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