Using ultrasound to quickly diagnose skull fractures in children with head injuries
Point-Of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) As an Early Screening Tool for Diagnosing Skull Fractures In Children With Mild Closed Head Injuries
This study is testing if using ultrasound can help doctors quickly find skull fractures in children aged 2 to 18 who have mild head injuries.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 250 (estimated) |
| Ages | 2 Years to 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Assiut University Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | radiation |
| Locations | 1 site (Assiut, Asyut Governorate) |
| Trial ID | NCT05726201 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study evaluates the effectiveness of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) as a screening tool for early diagnosis of skull fractures in children aged 2 to 18 years who have experienced mild closed head injuries. By assessing children admitted to the emergency department within 24 hours of their injury, the study aims to improve the speed of diagnosis and management of potential skull fractures. The findings could help emergency physicians reduce costs and enhance patient care in pediatric trauma cases. The study focuses on children with specific criteria, including a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 14 to 15 and evidence of scalp trauma.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are children aged 2 to 18 years who have sustained blunt head trauma within 24 hours of admission to the emergency department.
Not a fit: Patients with open head wounds, bleeding disorders, or pre-existing neurological disorders may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to faster and more accurate diagnosis of skull fractures in children, improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: While the use of ultrasound in trauma assessment is gaining traction, this specific application for diagnosing skull fractures in children is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age group 2 - 18 years old * Both genders * Blunt head trauma within 24hours of admission to the ED. * Glasgow Coma Scale scores of 14 to 15. * Localizing evidence of scalp trauma (cephalohematoma, focal pain, deformity) Exclusion Criteria: * Patients who are less than 2 years old or more than 18 years old * Patients with open head wounds * Ventricular shunts * Bleeding disorders * Known brain tumors * Pre-existing neurological disorders complicating assessment
Where this trial is running
Assiut, Asyut Governorate
- Omar Ibrahim Abdelsalam — Assiut, Asyut Governorate, Egypt (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Hala S Abdel-Ghaffar, MD — Assiut University
- Study coordinator: omar I abdelsalam, Master
- Email: omar.ibrahim726@gmail.com
- Phone: 00201093800943
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.