Rachel Rowlands1, James Rippey2, Sing Tie3, James Flynn4. 1. Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Subiaco, Western Australia, Australia; University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, United Kingdom. 2. Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Hospital Avenue, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia; School of Primary, Aboriginal and Rural Health Care, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia. 3. Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Subiaco, Western Australia, Australia; Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Hospital Avenue, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia. 4. Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Subiaco, Western Australia, Australia; School of Primary, Aboriginal and Rural Health Care, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia; School of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Painful forearm injuries after a fall occur frequently in children. X-ray study is currently the gold standard investigation. Ultrasound (US) is a potential alternative that avoids exposure to ionizing radiation and may be less painful than x-ray study; and familiarity and skill with US is increasing among emergency physicians. OBJECTIVES: The primary aim of this study was to determine if a cohort of physicians with little or no previous experience with US could, after a short training program, safely exclude forearm fractures in children. Secondary aims were to compare any pain or discomfort associated with clinical examination, US, and x-ray study and to determine the acceptability of US as a diagnostic tool to parents and patients. METHODS: A prospective, nonrandomized, interventional diagnostic study was performed on children between the ages of 0 and 16 years who had a suspected fracture of the forearm. US scanning was performed by a group of physicians, most with little or no previous US experience. RESULTS: After the brief training program, a group of pediatric emergency physicians could diagnose forearm fractures in children with a sensitivity of 91.5% and a specificity of 87.6%. Pain associated with US was no better or worse than pain associated with x-ray study. Patients and parents preferred US over x-ray study as an investigation modality for suspected forearm fractures. CONCLUSION: A group of pediatric emergency physicians with limited previous experience could, after a short training program, diagnose forearm fractures in children. Pain associated with US was no better or worse than pain associated with x-ray study. Crown
BACKGROUND: Painful forearm injuries after a fall occur frequently in children. X-ray study is currently the gold standard investigation. Ultrasound (US) is a potential alternative that avoids exposure to ionizing radiation and may be less painful than x-ray study; and familiarity and skill with US is increasing among emergency physicians. OBJECTIVES: The primary aim of this study was to determine if a cohort of physicians with little or no previous experience with US could, after a short training program, safely exclude forearm fractures in children. Secondary aims were to compare any pain or discomfort associated with clinical examination, US, and x-ray study and to determine the acceptability of US as a diagnostic tool to parents and patients. METHODS: A prospective, nonrandomized, interventional diagnostic study was performed on children between the ages of 0 and 16 years who had a suspected fracture of the forearm. US scanning was performed by a group of physicians, most with little or no previous US experience. RESULTS: After the brief training program, a group of pediatric emergency physicians could diagnose forearm fractures in children with a sensitivity of 91.5% and a specificity of 87.6%. Pain associated with US was no better or worse than pain associated with x-ray study. Patients and parents preferred US over x-ray study as an investigation modality for suspected forearm fractures. CONCLUSION: A group of pediatric emergency physicians with limited previous experience could, after a short training program, diagnose forearm fractures in children. Pain associated with US was no better or worse than pain associated with x-ray study. Crown