EASY Algorithm Trial to Evaluate Ultrasound Accuracy and Safety as a Screening Tool for Suspected Elbow Fractures in Children Aged 5 to 15 Years

What this Trial Is About

This observational study focuses on children and adolescents aged 5 to 15 years who have experienced an elbow injury. The main goal is to evaluate the safety and accuracy of using ultrasound as a screening tool to detect fractures in the elbow area after an accident. Researchers want to determine if ultrasound can reliably identify the presence of a fracture compared to standard X-rays. Participants will undergo an ultrasound examination of the injured elbow to check for fluid in the joint, which may indicate a fracture. They will also have standard X-rays taken of the elbow to confirm if a fracture is present. If no fracture is found during the first visit, participants will be followed up with a phone call six weeks later to assess how their elbow has healed. During the study, medical records will be reviewed and various measurements will be taken, including the sensitivity of ultrasound in detecting joint fluid, time required for ultrasound, radiation dose from X-rays, and initial X-ray assessments by physicians. Participants with no confirmed fractures will be evaluated for pain, arm function, and any additional medical visits or imaging after six weeks. The total participation time includes the initial visit and the follow-up phone call after six weeks.

EASY Algorithm Trial (Elbow Trauma Assessment Using Sonography in Children and Youth) Diagnostic Accuracy and Safety of Point-of-care Ultrasound as a Screening Tool for Suspected Elbow Fractures in Children Aged 5 to 15 Years: a Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study