Ultrasound can often replace harmful X-rays in bone fracture diagnoses

Diagnose fractures without radiation: Ultrasound can often replace the X-ray

If there is a suspicion of a bone fracture, X-ray procedures have often been the first option of choice. But the health hazards of these investigations should not be underestimated. Especially children are very sensitive to radiation exposure, as their body is still growing. A new study now shows that radiation-free ultrasound can often replace x-rays.

Gentle ultrasound diagnostics often provide equivalent results

In suspected bone fractures, X-ray procedures have often been the first drug of choice. However, as a recent meta-analysis, in which data from the past ten years have been evaluated, confirmed, the radiation-free, gentle ultrasound diagnostics in many cases equivalent results. Experts from the German Society for Ultrasound in Medicine e.V. (DEGUM) therefore recommend that fractures be diagnosed by ultrasound whenever possible and promising.

Although radiographs are suspected of bone fracture usually the first means of choice, but according to a new study offers the radiation-free, gentle ultrasound diagnosis in many cases equivalent results. (Image: Africa Studio / fotolia.com)

Children are much more sensitive to X-rays

Especially for children, it has been recommended over the last few years to rely better on ultrasound and MRI instead of X-ray and CT.

Ultrasound is recommended for children with fractures, as this age group is about ten times more sensitive to X-rays than adults.

"For pediatric wrist fractures, it makes sense to routinely use the ultrasound. With the same accuracy, 80 percent of the X-ray exposure can be saved, "explains Privatdozent Dr. med. med. Ole Ackermann, Senior Physician of the Department of Traumatology and Orthopedics at the Protestant Hospital Mettmann, in a statement from DEGUM.

Sonography should be the drug of first choice

Although small patients are suspected of elbow or upper arm fracture, sonography should be the drug of choice.

Ribs and sternum fractures as well as fractures of the leg extremities, such as the femur and the rail and the fibula, should also be generously diagnosed sonographically in both children and adults.

The current meta-analysis "Diagnosis of suspected fractures - ultrasound compared to conventional imaging" published in "Deutsches Ärzteblatt" shows that the fractures mentioned can be detected with the help of ultrasound as well as with the X-ray method.

Safe alternative to x-rays in children

Ultrasound diagnostics have many advantages over x-rays: "The ultrasound diagnosis is radiation-free and thus much gentler for the patient," says Ackermann, who is a member of the DEGUM working group on locomotor organs.

Dr. Bernd Schweiger from the University Hospital Essen sees the similar. In a statement of the German Roentgen Society (DRG) on the topic "Ultrasound in bone fracture - a safe alternative to x-rays in children" explains the physician:

"Use of ultrasound in addition to a significant acceleration of the diagnostic examination can also achieve a significant reduction in medically induced radiation exposure in children."

Cost-saving process

In addition, according to DEGUM, the process can be carried out in a cost-saving manner. Another advantage over X-ray diagnostics is that ultrasound devices are often better available - not only in emergency departments, but also in many practices.

However, this requires the corresponding know-how both in "sounding" itself and in interpreting the findings.

Although physicians can easily acquire the necessary skills, patients with suspected bone fractures are still exposed to X-rays far too frequently.

The reason: "The health insurance compensate for ultrasound examinations in fractures so far not cost-covering," complains Ackermann. "This has to change urgently in the interest of the patients." (Ad)