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Case Reports
Diagnosis of metacarpal fracture with equivocal x-ray by point-of-care ultrasound: a case report.
- Tobias Kummer and Jennifer Ruskis.
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
- Am J Emerg Med. 2014 Jul 1;32(7):821.e1-3.
AbstractMetacarpal fractures represent a very common injury among patients presenting to the emergency department. Diagnosis is of utmost importance given the high morbidity associated with lack of full hand function. We report a case of a 37-year-old man who sustained extremity trauma after a mechanical fall. He presented with an examination that revealed diffuse tenderness over the wrist and hand. X-ray of the hand was equivocal for a metacarpal fracture; however, point-of-care ultrasound revealed disruption of the bony cortex confirming the diagnosis. The patient was splinted and referred for follow-up with a hand specialist. Point-of-care ultrasound may be useful for the diagnosis of hand fractures, which may reduce health care costs and radiation exposure in the future.
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