J Korean Radiol Soc.  2007 Apr;56(4):349-354. 10.3348/jkrs.2007.56.4.349.

Detection of Rib Fractures in Minor Chest Injuries: a Comparison between Ultrasonography and Radiography Performed on the Same Day

• Cho YS
• Back CH
• Lee KR
• Shin YH
• Whang YS
• Jeong KY
• Chung SH
• Whang CM

• KMID: 2103859
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jkrs.2007.56.4.349

Abstract

PURPOSE: We wished to compare the ability of ultrasonography and radiography performed on the same day to detect rib fractures in minor chest injuries.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Two hundred and fifteen patients with minor chest injuries were selected. Radiography and ultrasonography were performed on the same day with these patients. Chest wall pain was the only presenting symptom. Two radiologists performed ultrasonography. Fractures were identified by a disruption of the anterior margin of the rib and costal cartilage. The incidence and location of fractures and complications revealed by radiography and ultrasonography were compared.
RESULTS
Radiographs revealed the presence of 70 rib fractures in 50 (23%) of 215 patients and ultrasonography revealed the presence of 203 rib fractures in 133 (62%) of 215 patients. Ultrasonography uniquely identified 133 rib fractures in 83 patients. Ultrasonography identified a 2.9 fold increase in the number of fractures in a 2.6 fold number of subjects as compared to radiography. Of the 203 sonographically detected fractures, 201 were located in the rib, one was located at the costochondral junction, and one in the costal cartilage. There were no complications seen by either radiography or ultrasonography.
CONCLUSION
Ultrasonography reveals more fractures than those that may be overlooked on radiography for minor chest injuries.

Keyword

Ribs, fractures; Ultrasound (US); Thorax, injuries

MeSH Terms

Cartilage
Humans
Incidence
Radiography*
Rib Fractures*
Ribs*
Thoracic Injuries*
Thoracic Wall
Thorax*
Ultrasonography*