Ultrasound diagnosis of sternum fractures

Abstract

With the present study we wanted to examine the value of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of fractures of the sternum. Included in this study were 11 patients with pain in the sternal region and suspected fracture of this area according to case history and clinical examination. We exclusively used a 7.5 MHZ linear scanner. In all 11 cases the fracture was free of doubts diagnosed using ultrasound. A fragment dislocation could be visualized in 10 cases and 1 case showed a fissure of the sternum. The standard lateral X-ray as our reference method confirmed the sonographical diagnosis in all cases. The diagnostical value of ultrasonography of the sternum is at least as high as that of standard lateral X-ray. When a hypoechoic area over the sternum together with a hematoma, a disruption of the cortical bone or a step in the bony outline as a sign for fragment dislocation are found, sternal fracture is the definite diagnosis. Ultrasonography is quickly feasible, non-invasive and gives sufficient information in these cases without side effects.