Matzek BA, Fivecoat PT, Ritz RB. Novel approach to the diagnosis of fractures in an austere environment using a stethoscope and a cellular phone.
Wilderness Environ Med 2014;
25:99-102. [PMID:
24393702 DOI:
10.1016/j.wem.2013.09.011]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2013] [Revised: 08/26/2013] [Accepted: 09/19/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Fracture diagnosis in the austere environment where radiographic tests are not available can be a challenge. In the past, a diagnostic technique has been described using a tuning fork and stethoscope to assess decreased sound conduction in the fractured extremity. In this study, we evaluate the use of a cellular phone's vibrate function and a stethoscope to limit equipment carried by expeditionary practitioners.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of fracture diagnosis using a cellular phone and stethoscope.
METHODS
This is a pilot study to assess the usefulness of the above technique before clinical implementation. In 3 cadavers, we created fractures of the humerus and femur. Twenty-seven emergency medicine residents and an attending physician performed the diagnostic technique.
RESULTS
Overall, the use of the cellular phone and stethoscope resulted in a sensitivity of 73% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.64 to 0.81) and a specificity of 83% (95% CI: 0.77 to 0.88), with a positive predicted value of 68% (95% CI: 0.59 to 0.77) and a negative predicted value of 86% (95% CI: 0.81 to 0.90). Positive likelihood ratio was 4.3, and negative likelihood ratio was 0.32.
CONCLUSIONS
The use of a cellular phone and stethoscope may be a useful tool for the diagnosis of fractures in the austere environment. However, further study is needed to validate these findings in the clinical environment.
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