Ultrasound imaging of undisplaced partial forearm fractures in children

Objective: To check the value of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of undisplaced partial forearm fractures in children. Methods: A case series study was conducted in AL-Khansa'a and Al-Zahrawy teaching hospitals in Mosul over a period between November 2005 to October 2006. One hundred patients (54 male and 46 female) between the age of 2-15 years suffering from high clinical suspicion of non displaced forearm fractures were first examined by ultrasound (Sonoline SL 100, Siemens Nurnberg Germany) with 7.5MHZ linear array transducer by a radiologist who gave an immediate report. Standard two views radiography of the forearm then obtained. The radiographs were reported by another senior radiologist. Ultrasonographic and radiographic reports were then compared.Results: One hundred patients were examined, 54 male and 46 female with male/female ratio 1:1.7. The type of fractures found were 46 torus type, 48 greenstick and 6 were plastic deformity. Subperiosteal haematoma was encountered in 100% of the fractures, bending sign was 100% and finally reverberation echoes was shown in all the fracture types too.Conclusion: Ultrasound is a useful method in the diagnosis of undisplaced forearm fractures in children. It is an easy, safe , fast and in-expensive procedure. More studies are indicated to confirm its reliability in different pediatric fractures.