Test Characteristics of Chest Ultrasonography for Rib Fractures Following Blunt Chest Trauma: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Study Objective: Chest ultrasonography has been reported as an accurate imaging modality and potentially superior to chest radiographs in diagnosing traumatic rib fractures. However, few studies have compared ultrasonography to the reference standard of computed tomography (CT), with no systematic reviews published on the topic to date. Our objective was to summarize the evidence comparing the test characteristics of chest ultrasonography to CT in diagnosing rib fractures.

Regional Nerve Blocks For Hip and Femoral Neck Fractures in the Emergency Department: A Systematic Review.

Objectives: Hip and femoral neck fractures are common in elderly patients, who are at an increased risk of complications if their pain is suboptimally managed. This systematic review seeks to determine if regional nerve blocks reduce pain, reduce the need for parenteral opiates, and reduce complications, compared to standard pain management with opiates, acetaminophen, or NSAIDs.

Data Sources: Systematic review of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials found 401 articles, of which nine were selected for inclusion.