Ultrasound Secondary Signs for the Diagnosis of Pediatric Distal Forearm Fractures: A Diagnostic Study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound secondary signs of fractures in pediatric patients aged 5-15 y presenting to the emergency department with a clinically non-deformed distal forearm injury. METHODS: This diagnostic study was conducted in South East Queensland, Australia. Emergency clinicians performed point-of-care ultrasound on eligible patients and recorded secondary signs of fractures (pronator quadratus hematoma [PQH] sign, periosteal hematoma, visible angulation) or physeal fractures (fracture-to-physis distance [FPD], physis alteration). The reference standard was the final fracture diagnosis determined by expert panel. The primary outcome was the diagnostic accuracy of secondary signs for cortical breach and physeal fractures. Diagnostic statistics were reported for each relevant secondary sign. RESULTS: A total of 135 participants were enrolled. The expert panel diagnosed 48 "no" fracture, 52 "buckle" fracture and 35 "other" fracture. All "other" fractures were cortical breach fractures and included 15 Salter-Harris II fractures. The PQH sign demonstrated high sensitivity and moderate specificity to diagnose cortical breach fractures (91%, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 78%-97% and 82%, 73%-88%). Poor sensitivity but high specificity was observed for the visible angulation and periosteal hematoma secondary signs. FPD <1cm showed perfect sensitivity and moderate specificity (100%, 80%-100% and 85%, 78%-90%) for diagnosis of Salter-Harris II fracture. Conversely, physis alteration showed poor sensitivity but excellent specificity (40%, 20%-64% and 99%, 95%-100%) for the diagnosis of Salter-Harris II fractures. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound secondary signs showed good diagnostic accuracy for both cortical breach fractures and Salter-Harris II fractures. Future research should consider optimal use of secondary signs to improve diagnostic accuracy.

Bilateral Apogeotropic Lateral Canal BPPV: Role of Secondary Signs of Lateralization in Diagnosis.

Bilateral lateral canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is extremely uncommon because of difficulties in diagnosing such cases. We present first case of bilateral apogeotropic lateral canal BPPV. We want to stress that secondary signs of lateralization like bow lean test is of great help in diagnosing such cases.

MRI of the Knee Meniscus.

Menisci are small fibrocartilaginous structures that are essential for the knee stability and preservation of articular cartilage. This article discusses the anatomy and function, variations, appearance and consequence of tears, and postoperative evaluation. We also address pitfalls and signs which can help improve diagnostic accuracy.

The non-visualized appendix and secondary signs on ultrasound for pediatric appendicitis in the community hospital setting.

BACKGROUND: Secondary signs of appendicitis on ultrasound may aid with diagnosis in the setting of a non-visualized appendix (NVA). This role has not been shown in the community hospital setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All right lower quadrant ultrasounds performed in children for clinical suspicion of appendicitis over a 5-year period in a single community hospital were evaluated. Secondary signs of inflammation including free fluid, ileus, fat stranding, abscess, and lymphadenopathy were documented. Patients were followed for 1 year for the primary outcome of appendicitis. These data were analyzed to determine the utility of secondary signs in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis when an NVA is reported. RESULTS: Six hundred and seventeen ultrasounds were reviewed; 470 of these had an NVA. Of NVAs, 47 (10%) of patients were diagnosed with appendicitis. Sensitivity and specificity of having at least one secondary were 38.3% and 80%, respectively. The positive and negative predictive values of having at least one secondary sign were 17.3% and 92%, respectively. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that the absence of secondary signs has a strong negative predictive value for appendicitis in the community hospital setting; however, the full utility of secondary signs may be limited in this setting.

Utility and Accuracy of Primary and Secondary Ultrasonographic Signs for Diagnosing Acute Appendicitis in Pediatric Patients.

Introduction Making an accurate diagnosis of acute appendicitis (AA) is vital to prevent the morbid complications associated with untreated AA. This is challenging in up to 30% of pediatric patients which is a significantly high number. Ultrasound (US) has been generally used as the initial mode of imaging in pediatric patients due to the lack of ionizing radiation. Given its variable accuracy, adjuvants such as secondary signs can be used to aid the radiologist in making an accurate diagnosis. Materials and methods Patients between the ages of two and sixteen years with acute abdominal pain suspicious for AA, who underwent right lower quadrant US between 2003 and 2016, were retrospectively identified. Corresponding computed tomography (CT) and histopathology findings were noted. Based on the presence of primary and secondary signs, results were classified into three groups to determine accuracy. Group 1 included all patients with a normal appendix or if the appendix was not visualized, no secondary signs were present. Group 2 patients were those in which the appendix was not clearly seen and they had one or more secondary signs of AA. Group 3 included all patients with primary signs of AA. The number of secondary signs and cases with perforated appendices were also correlated with sonographic accuracy. Results One thousand one hundred and fifteen patients met the inclusion criteria of which 29% had confirmatory AA. The positive appendectomy rate was 89% (337/380). Using a 3-category classification of US results, the sensitivity was 79%, specificity 97%, positive predictive value was 93%, negative predictive value was 91% and the overall accuracy was 91%. The presence of two or more secondary signs had a high likelihood of appendicitis. The perforation rate was 10% with the highest percentage seen in Group 2 patients. Conclusion Despite inescapable limiting factors, US should be used as first-line imaging for suspected appendicitis in pediatric patients especially since its accuracy rivals CT when the appendix is visualized. The use of secondary sonographic signs has solid potential to aid the radiologist in making an accurate diagnosis with our study demonstrating a proportional relationship between the number of secondary signs and the likelihood of true appendicitis. However, further investigation is needed to determine the individual accuracy of secondary signs and whether a certain combination of secondary signs has a higher association with appendicitis.

Predictive value of secondary signs of obstruction in follow-up computed tomography of ureteral stones: a study with dynamic computed tomography.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the ratio of obstruction and predictive values of secondary signs in follow-up computed tomography (CT) of ureterolithiasis patients; to correlate stone characteristics with obstruction; to compare enhancement of obstructed and non-obstructed kidneys; and to compare radiation dose of the dynamic CT protocol to an excretory-phase protocol. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study assessed 49 follow-up CT scans of patients with remaining ureterolithiasis after a renal colic episode. Obstruction was measured as time taken to excretion of contrast medium in dynamic CT. Degree of secondary signs of obstruction was evaluated from the unenhanced CT. Data were collected on patients' gender and age, stone size and location, time from renal colic to follow-up, attenuation of the renal cortex and radiation dose. RESULTS: Obstruction was present in 28% (n = 14) at follow-up. Predictive values (sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value) were calculated for hydronephrosis (1.0, 0.63, 0.52, 1.0), hydroureter (1.0, 0.4, 0.4, 1.0), perirenal stranding (0.21, 0.94, 0.6, 0.75), Gerota's fascia (0.21, 0.97, 0.75, 0.76) and renal swelling (0.21, 0.97, 0.75, 0.76). Obstruction was not correlated with stone characteristics. Enhancement was lower in obstructed kidneys (p < 0.01). Radiation dose was reduced by 43% (1.8 mSv). CONCLUSIONS: Obstruction was found in 28% of patients. Secondary signs were scarce and of indeterminate value to the diagnosis of obstruction. The absence of hydronephrosis and hydroureter contradicted obstruction. Stone characteristics were not correlated with obstruction. Enhancement of the renal cortex was lower in obstructed kidneys. The dynamic protocol reduced the radiation dose.

Improving ultrasound for appendicitis through standardized reporting of secondary signs.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to implement a standardized US report that included secondary signs of appendicitis (SS) to facilitate accurate diagnosis of appendicitis and decrease the use of computed tomography (CT) and admissions for observation. METHODS: A multidisciplinary team implemented a quality improvement (QI) intervention in the form of a standardized US report and provided stakeholders with monthly feedback. Outcomes including report compliance, CT use, and observation admissions were compared pretemplate and posttemplate. RESULTS: We identified 387 patients in the pretemplate period and 483 patients in the posttemplate period. In the posttemplate period, the reporting of SS increased from 5.4% to 79.5% (p<0.001). Despite lower rates of appendix visualization (43.9% to 32.7%, p<0.001) with US, overall CT use (8.5% vs 7.0%, p=0.41) and the negative appendectomy rate remained stable (1.0% vs 1.0%, p=1.0). CT utilization for patients with an equivocal ultrasound and SS present decreased (36.4% vs 8.9%, p=0.002) and admissions for observations decreased (21.5% vs 15.3%, p=0.02). Test characteristics of RLQ US for appendicitis also improved in the posttemplate period. CONCLUSION: A focused QI initiative led to high compliance rates of utilizing the standardized US report and resulted in lower CT use and fewer admissions for observation. Study of a Diagnostic Test Level of Evidence: 1.

Secondary signs may improve the diagnostic accuracy of equivocal ultrasounds for suspected appendicitis in children.

INTRODUCTION: Ultrasound (US) is the preferred imaging modality for evaluating appendicitis. Our purpose was to determine if including secondary signs (SS) improve diagnostic accuracy in equivocal US studies. METHODS: Retrospective review identified 825 children presenting with concern for appendicitis and with a right lower quadrant (RLQ) US. Regression models identified which SS were associated with appendicitis. Test characteristics were demonstrated. RESULTS: 530 patients (64%) had equivocal US reports. Of 114 (22%) patients with equivocal US undergoing CT, those with SS were more likely to have appendicitis (48.6% vs 14.6%, p<0.001). Of 172 (32%) patients with equivocal US admitted for observation, those with SS were more likely to have appendicitis (61.0% vs 33.6%, p<0.001). SS associated with appendicitis included fluid collection (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 13.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.1-82.8), hyperemia (OR=2.0, 95%CI 1.5-95.5), free fluid (OR=9.8, 95%CI 3.8-25.4), and appendicolith (OR=7.9, 95%CI 1.7-37.2). Wall thickness, bowel peristalsis, and echogenic fat were not associated with appendicitis. Equivocal US that included hyperemia, a fluid collection, or an appendicolith had 96% specificity and 88% accuracy. CONCLUSION: Use of SS in RLQ US assists in the diagnostic accuracy of appendicitis. SS may guide clinicians and reduce unnecessary CT and admissions.

Reducing computed tomography scans for appendicitis by introduction of a standardized and validated ultrasonography report template.

PURPOSE: Computed tomography (CT) for the diagnosis of appendicitis is associated with radiation exposure and increased cost. In an effort to reduce the diagnostic use of CT scans, we implemented a standardized ultrasound report template based on validated secondary signs of appendicitis. METHODS: In September 2012, as part of a quality improvement project, we developed and introduced a four category standardized ultrasound report template for limited right lower quadrant abdominal ultrasounds. Outcomes for patients undergoing ultrasound or CT scan for appendicitis between 9/10/2012 and 12/31/2013 (Period 2, n=2033) were compared to the three months prior to implementation (Period 1, n=304). RESULTS: In Period 1, 78 of 304 (25.7%) patients had appendicitis versus 385 of 2033 (18.9%) in Period 2 (p=0.006). Non-diagnostic exams decreased from 48% to 0.1% (p<0.001). Ultrasound sensitivity improved from 66.67% to 92.2% (p<0.001). Specificity did not significantly change (96.9% to 97.69%, p=0.46). CT utilization for appendicitis decreased from 44.3% in Period 1 to 14.5% at the end of Period 2 (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of a standardized ultrasound report template based on validated secondary signs of appendicitis nearly eliminated non-diagnostic exams, improved diagnostic accuracy, and resulted in a striking decrease in CT utilization.

Parameters for successful nonoperative management of traumatic aortic injury.

OBJECTIVE: Blunt traumatic aortic injury is associated with significant mortality, and increased computed tomography use identifies injuries not previously detected. This study sought to define parameters identifying patients who can benefit from medical management. METHODS: We reviewed 4.5 years of blunt traumatic aortic injuries. Injury was classified as grade I (intimal flap or intramural hematoma), II (small pseudoaneurysm <50% circumference), III (large pseudoaneurysm >50% circumference), and IV (rupture/transection). Secondary signs of injury included pseudocoarctation, extensive mediastinal hematoma, and large left hemothorax. Follow-up, including computed tomography, was reviewed. RESULTS: We identified 97 patients: 31 grade I, 35 grade II, 24 grade III, and 7 grade IV; 67(69%) male; mean age 47 ± 18.8 years, mean Injury Severity Score 38.8 ± 14.6; overall survival 76 (78.4%). Secondary signs of injury were found in 30 patients. Overall, 52 (53.6%) underwent repair, 45 undergoing thoracic endovascular aortic repair, with 2 (2.22%) procedure-related deaths, and 7 undergoing open repair. Five patients undergoing thoracic endovascular aortic repair required 7 additional procedures. In 45 medically managed patients, there were 14 deaths (31%), all secondary to associated injuries. Injury Severity Scores of survivors and nonsurvivors were 33 ± 10.8 and 48.6 ± 12.8, respectively (P < .001). Follow-up showed resolution or no change in 21 (91%) and a small increase in 2 grade I injuries. CONCLUSIONS: All blunt traumatic aortic injury does not necessitate repair. Stratification by injury grade and secondary signs of injury identifies patients appropriate for medical management. Grade IV injury necessitates emergency procedures and carries high mortality. Grade III injury with secondary signs of injury should be urgently repaired; patients without secondary signs of injury may undergo delayed repair. Grade I and II injuries are amenable to medical management.