Point-of-care Ultrasound for Nonangulated Distal Forearm Fractures in Children: Test Performance Characteristics and Patient-centered Outcomes

Abstract

Objectives: Distal forearm fractures are the most common fracture type in children. Point-of-care-ultrasound (POCUS) is increasingly being used, and preliminary studies suggest that it offers an accurate approach to diagnosis. However, outcomes such as pain, satisfaction, and procedure duration have not been explored but may be salient to the widespread acceptance of this technology by caregivers and children. Our objectives were to examine the test performance characteristics of POCUS for nonangulated distal forearm injuries in children and compare POCUS to x-ray with respect to pain, caregiver satisfaction, and procedure duration. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study involving children aged 4–17 years with a suspected nonangulated distal forearm fracture. Participants underwent both x-ray and POCUS assessment. The primary outcome was sensitivity between POCUS and x-ray, the reference standard. Secondary outcomes included self-reported pain using the Faces Pain Scale–Revised, caregiver satisfaction using a five-item Likert scale, and procedure duration. Results: POCUS was performed in 169 children of whom 76 were diagnosed with a fracture including 61 buckle fractures. Sensitivity of POCUS for distal forearm fractures was 94.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 89.7–99.8) and specificity was 93.5% (95% CI = 88.6–98.5). POCUS was associated with a significantly lower median (interquartile range [IQR]) pain score compared to x-ray: 1 (0–2) versus 2 (1–3), respectively (median difference = 0.5; 95% CI = 0.5–1; p < 0.001) and no significant difference in median (IQR) caregiver satisfaction score: 5 (0) versus 5 (4–5), respectively (median difference = 0, 95% CI = 0, p = 1.0). POCUS was associated with a significantly lower median (IQR) procedure duration versus x-ray: 1.5 (0.8–2.2) minutes versus 27 (15–58) minutes, respectively (median difference = 34.1, 95% CI = 26.8–41.5, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that POCUS assessment of distal forearm injuries in children is accurate, timely, and associated with low levels of pain and high caregiver satisfaction.