Diagnostic accuracy of bedside emergency ultrasound screening for fractures in pediatric trauma patients

BACKGROUND: Bedside ultrasound (BUS) can effectively identify fractures in the emergency department (ED). AIM: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of BUS for fractures in pediatric trauma patients. SETTING AND DESIGN: Prospective observational study conducted in the ED. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Pediatric patients with upper and lower limb injuries requiring radiological examination were included. BUS examinations were done by emergency physicians who had undergone a brief training. X-rays were reviewed for the presence of fracture and the results of BUS and radiography were compared. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: STATA version 11 was used for statistical analysis of the data. RESULTS: Forty-one patients were enrolled in the study. The sensitivity of the BUS in detecting fracture was 89% [95% confidence interval (CI): 51% to 99%] and the specificity was 100% (95% CI: 87% to 100%). The positive predictive value of BUS was 100% and negative predictive value was 97%. CONCLUSION: BUS can be utilized by emergency physicians after brief training to accurately identify long bone fractures in the pediatric age-group.