Ultrasound_Musculoskeletal

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of ultrasonography (USG) in identifying metacarpal bone fractures in patients admitted to the emergency department (ED) with hand injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who were admitted to a training and research hospital's ED during the study period with hand trauma and had suspected metacarpal fractures were included in the study. They were examined for metacarpal fracture by USG and x-ray. Hand radiographs reviewed by an emergency physician were considered to be the criterion standard diagnostic tool...

OBJECTIVES: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of emergency physician performed point-of care ultrasound (POCUS) for detecting long bone fractures compared to standard radiography. METHODS: This was a single-blinded, prospective observational study of patients presenting to two emergency departments (ED) with trauma to long bones. The study used a convenience sample of patients seen during the study investigators' scheduled clinical shifts. Patients presenting to the ED with complaints of long bone trauma were included in the study when a study investigator was available in the ED...

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Emergency physicians frequently encounter shoulder dislocation in their practice. The objective of this study is to assess the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography in detecting shoulder dislocation and confirming proper reduction in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with possible shoulder dislocation. We hypothesize that ultrasonography could be a reliable alternative for pre- and postradiographic evaluation of shoulder dislocation. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study...

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of a superficial abscess is usually obtained through history and physical exam but bedside ultrasound (US) and computerized tomography (CT) are sometimes used to assist in the diagnosis. It is unclear which imaging modality is superior for patients with superficial soft tissue infections. We compared the diagnostic accuracy of CT and US in patients with skin and soft tissue infections. METHODS: Patients presenting with a suspected skin abscess that underwent both US and CT imaging were eligible for inclusion...

INTRODUCTION: Foot and ankle injuries are common in the Emergency Department (ED). Of those requiring radiographs in accordance with the Ottawa Foot and Ankle Rules, approximately 22% have a fracture. Ultrasound is developing as a tool for emergency musculoskeletal assessment--it is inexpensive and rapid, and visualises soft tissue and bony structures. METHODS: This diagnostic cohort study examined if ultrasound could detect acute bony foot and ankle injuries. Ottawa Rules-positive patients over 16 years were eligible...

INTRODUCTION: In our local emergency departments (EDs), manipulation and reduction (M&R) of distal radius fractures are performed by emergency doctors, with blind manual palpation, using postreduction x-rays to assess adequacy. We sought to study the effectiveness of ultrasound guidance in the reduction of distal radius fractures in adult patients presenting to a regional ED. METHODS: This was a before-and-after study. Eligible patients were adults older than 21 years who presented to the ED with distal radius fractures that required M&R...

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound is a useful adjunct to many Emergency Department (ED) procedures. Arthrocentesis is typically performed using a landmark technique but ultrasound may provide an opportunity to improve arthrocentesis performance. OBJECTIVE: To assess the success of emergency physicians performing landmark (LM) vs. ultrasound (US)-guided knee arthrocentesis techniques. METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized, controlled study of patients requiring knee arthrocentesis who presented to one urban university ED and two community EDs between June 2005 and February 2007...

Quadriceps tendon ruptures are an uncommon knee injury. The diagnosis is often complicated by a limited examination secondary to edema and pain, the insensitivity of radiographs, and the unavailability of non-emergent magnetic resonance imaging. A delay in diagnosis and treatment has been shown to cause significant morbidity. A case report of bilateral quadriceps tendon rupture is presented demonstrating the utility and ease of bedside ultrasound to rapidly confirm the diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Forearm fractures are common injuries in children. Displaced and angulated fractures usually require reduction. Ultrasound diagnosis and guided reduction offer several potential advantages: (1) the procedure does not involve ionizing radiation; (2) compared with fluoroscopy units, the newer ultrasound units are more portable; and (3) repeated studies can be obtained easily and quickly. OBJECTIVE: The primary objective was to investigate the accuracy of emergency department (ED) physician-performed ultrasound in the diagnosis and guided reduction of forearm fractures in children...

In patients presenting with atraumatic joint pain and swelling, diagnosis is typically made by synovial fluid analysis. Management of an acute suspected hip joint arthritis can present a challenge to the emergency physician (EP). Hip joint effusions are somewhat more difficult to identify and aspirate than effusions in other joints that are commonly managed by EPs. Identification and aspiration of a hip joint effusion under ultrasound guidance is a well-established procedure in the fields of orthopedic surgery and interventional radiology...

OBJECTIVES: Soft tissue infections are a common presenting complaint in the emergency department (ED). The authors sought to determine the utility of ED bedside ultrasonography (US) in detecting subcutaneous abscesses. METHODS: Between August 2003 and November 2004, a prospective, convenience sample of adult patients with a chief complaint suggestive of cellulitis and/or abscess was enrolled. US was performed by attending physicians or residents who had attended a 30-minute training session in soft tissue US...

This article describes an advanced application for an established technology, specifically the use of bedside sonography in the assessment of the acutely painful joint in the emergency department. The sonographic windows for each of the axial synovial joints are outlined, with a brief discussion of commonly encountered pathologic conditions.

Difficulty is frequently encountered in performing ankle arthrocentesis. This report describes an ultrasound-assisted technique that can be readily learned by emergency physicians. It involves using the ultrasound beam to accurately locate the tibiotalar joint, thereby increasing the probability of obtaining joint fluid on aspiration.