Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Science Communicator Platform

Stay connected! Follow us on X network (Twitter):
Share this content! On (X network) By
Comparison of Ultrasonography and Radiography in Diagnosis of Rib Fractures Publisher Pubmed



Pishbin E1 ; Ahmadi K2 ; Foogardi M3 ; Salehi M4 ; Seilanian Toosi F5 ; Rahimimovaghar V6
Authors
Show Affiliations
Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Department of Emergency Medicine, Imam Reza Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
  2. 2. Department of Emergency Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
  3. 3. Department of Emergency Medicine, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
  4. 4. Department of Community Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
  5. 5. Department of Radiology, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
  6. 6. Sina Trauma and Surgery Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Source: Chinese Journal of Traumatology - English Edition Published:2017


Abstract

Purpose Rib fractures are the most common skeletal thoracic injuries resulting from blunt chest trauma. Half of the rib fractures are not detected upon a precise physical evaluation and radiographs. Recently ultrasonography (USG) has been investigated to detect rib fractures. But based on literature the usefulness of USG varies widely. This study was conducted to investigate the role of USG in the detection of possible rib fractures in comparison with radiography. Methods In this cross-sectional study, consecutive patients with minor blunt chest trauma and suspected rib fractures presenting in Imam Reza Hospital located in Mashhad-Iran, between April 2013 and October 2013 were assessed by USG and radiography. The radiography was performed in a posteroanterior (PA) chest projection and oblique rib view centered over the area of trauma. The time duration spent in taking USG and radiography were recorded. The prevalence and location of fractures revealed by USG and radiography were compared. Results Sixty-one suspected patients were assessed. The male to female ratio was 2.4:1 (43 men and 18 women) with a mean ± SD age of (44.3 ± 19.7) years. There were totally 59 rib fractures in 38 (62.3%) patients based on radiography and USG, while 23 (37.7%) patients had no diagnostic evidence of rib lesions. USG revealed 58 rib fractures in 33 (54.1%) of 61 suspected patients and radiographs revealed 32 rib fractures in 20 (32.8%) of 61 patients. A total of 58 (98.3%) rib fractures were detected by USG, whereas oblique rib view and PA chest radiography showed 27 (45.8%) and 24 (40.7%) rib fractures, respectively. The average duration of USG was (12 ± 3) min (range 7–17 min), whereas the duration of radiography was (27 ± 6) min (range 15–37 min). The kappa coefficient showed a low level of agreement between both USG and PA chest radiography (kappa coefficient = 0.28), and between USG and oblique rib view (kappa coefficient = 0.32). Conclusion USG discloses more fractures than radiography in most patients presenting with suspected rib fractures. Moreover USG requires significantly less time than radiography. © 2017 Daping Hospital and the Research Institute of Surgery of the Third Military Medical University