Ultrasound for the detection of distal forearm fractures in children

A research published in British Medical Journal reveals that Distal forearm fractures are among the most common fractures in children. Plain radiographs of the forearm are considered the gold standard for definitive diagnosis.

However, there is a growing interest in ultrasound diagnosis of distal forearm fracture due, in part, to the absence of exposure to radiation. In a metaanalysis of 12 studies (951 children 18 years of age and younger) comparing ultrasound with the reference standard of conventional radiography, ultrasound detected distal forearm fractures with a pooled sensitivity of 98 percent and a specificity of 96 percent.

These findings correspond to an estimated 3 out of 100 distal forearm fractures missed by ultrasound. Detection of distal forearm fractures is a developing use of bedside ultrasound, especially when plain radiographs are not readily available. However, most centers still use plain radiographs for diagnosis of forearm fractures.