Point-of-Care Ultrasonography for Pediatric Ankle Fracture Detection

This prospective observational study evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) for detecting ankle fractures in children presenting to the emergency department with acute isolated ankle trauma. Children aged 5-17 years who met at least one Ottawa Ankle Rule criterion were included. The primary objective was to determine how accurately bedside POCUS identifies pediatric ankle fractures compared with a predefined reference standard. The study also evaluated whether the presence of open growth plates influenced ultrasound interpretation.