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Not yet recruiting NCT06766721

Ultrasound for Diagnosing Costochondral Joint Separation

No phase Interventional Rib Fractures Thoracic Injuries

For patients and families

In plain language

An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.

What is being studied
The protocol lists: Ultrasound (USG).
Who it may be relevant to
Registry conditions: Rib Fractures, Thoracic Injuries. Basic parameters: 18 years — 80 years · All.
What needs checking
Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
Where it takes place
Turkey (Türkiye)
Next step
Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →

Unsure about the terms? Read our patient guide →

Official title

Diagnostic Effectiveness of Ultrasound in Costochondral Joint Separation: A Prospective Study

Overview

This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic effectiveness of ultrasound in detecting costochondral joint separation in patients with blunt thoracic trauma. By comparing ultrasound findings to computed tomography (CT) results, the study seeks to determine the sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy of ultrasound as a diagnostic tool. The results will help improve the diagnosis and management of costochondral injuries while minimizing radiation exposure. The study is a prospective, interventional trial conducted at Ondokuz Mayıs University Faculty of Medicine.

Detailed description

This study investigates the diagnostic effectiveness of ultrasound (USG) in identifying costochondral joint separation in patients presenting with blunt thoracic trauma. The study aims to assess USG's sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy compared to computed tomography (CT), which is considered the gold standard.

Costochondral separation, a condition where the connection between the rib and its cartilage is disrupted, is often challenging to diagnose with traditional imaging techniques. Ultrasound offers a non-invasive, portable, and radiation-free alternative, potentially allowing for rapid diagnosis and improved patient outcomes.

Participants will undergo both USG and CT imaging as part of the diagnostic protocol. The primary outcome measure will be the diagnostic accuracy of USG in detecting costochondral joint separation. Secondary outcomes include time to diagnosis, patient comfort, and correlation of ultrasound findings with clinical presentations.

The study will be conducted prospectively at Ondokuz Mayıs University Faculty of Medicine from March 2025 to March 2027, involving a sample size of 51 patients based on power analysis. Data collected will include demographic information, trauma specifics, imaging findings, and clinical outcomes.

The results are expected to contribute significantly to the field of thoracic trauma care by demonstrating the utility of ultrasound in settings where quick and accurate diagnosis is critical.

Interventions

  • Device Ultrasound (USG)
    The intervention involves the use of a portable ultrasound (USG) device to assess costochondral joint separation in patients with blunt thoracic trauma. The ultrasound examination will focus on detecting disruptions in the connection between the ribs and cartilage, providing a non-invasive, radiation-free diagnostic method. A 12-MHz linear transducer will be used to scan the rib area for fractures or separations. The findings will be compared to those of computed tomography (CT), considered the

Primary outcome measures

  • Number of Participants with Accurate Ultrasound Diagnosis Compared to CT [Time frame: Within the first 24 hours of patient admission.]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

  • Patients aged 18 to 80 years
  • Patients with blunt thoracic trauma
  • Patients suspected of having costochondral joint separation
  • Patients who provide consent for ultrasound and CT imaging

Exclusion criteria

  • Patients under 18 or over 80 years of age
  • Patients with penetrating thoracic trauma
  • Patients with subcutaneous emphysema that prevents ultrasound evaluation
  • Patients allergic to ultrasound gel
  • Pregnant patients (as CT imaging is contraindicated)
  • Patients unable to undergo CT imaging
  • Patients who refuse to participate in the study
  • Obese patients (body mass index >30), as ultrasound evaluation may be challenging

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: No

Study design

Allocation
N/A
Model
Single group
Masking
Open label
Primary purpose
Diagnostic

Study locations

Turkey (Türkiye) · 1 center
  • Ondokuz Mayıs University — Samsun

Publications

  • Stengel D, Leisterer J, Ferrada P, Ekkernkamp A, Mutze S, Hoenning A. Point-of-care ultrasonography for diagnosing thoracoabdominal injuries in patients with blunt trauma. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018 Dec 12;12(12):CD012669. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD012669.pub2. PMID 30548249
  • Wilkerson RG, Stone MB. Sensitivity of bedside ultrasound and supine anteroposterior chest radiographs for the identification of pneumothorax after blunt trauma. Acad Emerg Med. 2010 Jan;17(1):11-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1553-2712.2009.00628.x. PMID 20078434

Identifiers

NCT: NCT06766721 · B.30.2.ODM.0.20.08/517

Primary sources (government registries)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗