DefinePK

Abstract

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of ultrasound and direct radiography on the detection andmanagement of metacarpal fractures.Study Design: A cross-sectional Study.Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Emergency, Al-Nafees MedicalHospital, Islamabad, Pakistan from August 2022 to August 2023.Methods: The study was conducted on 60 patients suspected of metacarpal fracture. All patients underwentpoint-of-care ultrasonography and direct radiography. Data, including swelling, point tenderness, crepitus,ecchymosis, deformity, neurovascular injury, or range of motion, was recorded.Results: The results showed that direct radiograph detected fractures in 32 (53.3%) patients, while point-ofcareultrasonography detected fractures in 34 (56.6%) patients. Compared to direct radiograph, the sensitivity,specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of point of care ultrasonography for fracturedetection were 92%, 87%, 89% and 90% respectively. point-of-care ultrasonography detected all adjacent bonefractures. The 5th metacarpal neck was the most common site of fracture. Compared to direct radiograph, thesensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of point of care ultrasonographyfor fracture localization were 92%, 87%, 89% and 89% respectively. With point-of-care ultrasonography,angulation was detected in 41 (68.3%) patients and step-off in 14 (24%) patients. With direct radiograph,angulation was detected in 40 (66.6%) patients and step off in 13 (21.6%) patients. Point-of-careultrasonography detected intramuscular hematoma in 9 (15%) patients. Based on the evaluation of physicianswho performed direct radiograph and point-of-care ultrasonography, 17 (28.3%) patients required an elasticbandage, and 2 (3.3%) required surgery.Conclusion: Point-of-care ultrasound is an effective tool for diagnosing metacarpal fractures and can be used asan alternative to radiography.
How to cite this: Asim A, Abbasi SH, Sarfraz M, Bashir MA, Kanwal S, Imtiaz H. Effectiveness of Ultrasonography in Detecting Metacarpal Fractures at Al-Nafees Medical Hospital, Islamabad: A Cross-Sectional Study. Life and Science. 2025; 6(3): 394-398. doi: http://doi.org/10.37185/LnS.1.1.556