Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the use of a simple intrasound device in the detection of malleolar fractures in the accident and emergency (A&E) department. METHODS: Patients aged 16 to 70 years with ankle injuries presenting within 24 hours were considered for inclusion in the study. Those patients with bony tenderness, inability to weight bear, and swelling were examined with a simple intrasound device before x-ray examination. A positive result of discomfort, pain, withdrawal response, or combinations or these was noted. RESULTS: The device had a sensitivity of 85% and a specificity of 52% in detecting malleolar fractures. CONCLUSIONS: The use of intrasound in the detection of malleolar fractures cannot be relied upon alone, but it may help to limit the number of x rays taken unnecessarily. A further study is proposed to confirm these findings.
Full text
PDF
Images in this article
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Brooks S. C., Potter B. T., Rainey J. B. Inversion injuries of the ankle: clinical assessment and radiographic review. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1981 Feb 21;282(6264):607–608. doi: 10.1136/bmj.282.6264.607. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Dunlop M. G., Beattie T. F., White G. K., Raab G. M., Doull R. I. Guidelines for selective radiological assessment of inversion ankle injuries. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1986 Sep 6;293(6547):603–605. doi: 10.1136/bmj.293.6547.603. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Montague A. P., McQuillan R. F. Clinical assessment of apparently sprained ankle and detection of fracture. Injury. 1985 Sep;16(8):545–546. doi: 10.1016/0020-1383(85)90082-8. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Stiell I. G., McKnight R. D., Greenberg G. H., McDowell I., Nair R. C., Wells G. A., Johns C., Worthington J. R. Implementation of the Ottawa ankle rules. JAMA. 1994 Mar 16;271(11):827–832. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Vargish T., Clarke W. R., Young R. A., Jensen A. The ankle injury--indications for the selective use of X-rays. Injury. 1983 May;14(6):507–512. doi: 10.1016/0020-1383(83)90053-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]