Point-of-care ultrasonography for the management of shoulder dislocation in ED.

Objective: Point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) is an easily available and noninvasive tool without radiation exposure that is also gaining a broad range of use in emergency departments. The aim of this study is to evaluate the value of POCUS in the diagnosis of shoulder dislocation by comparing with plain radiography.

Methods: This prospective observational study with a convenience sampling was conducted in emergency departments of 2 hospitals. Patients older than 15 years with possible shoulder dislocation during the physical examination composed the study population. All the study patients underwent POCUS evaluation to detect a shoulder dislocation or fracture before radiography, and the POCUS procedure was also achieved after the reduction attempt.

Results: A total of 103 patients were enrolled in the study. The mean age of study subjects was 33.9±15 years, and 80.6% (n=83) of them were male. The sensitivity and specificity of POCUS in identifying dislocation were 100% (95% confidence interval [CI], 96%-100%) and 100% (95% CI, 48%-100%), respectively. POCUS also confirmed reduction in 93 of 94 patients with a specificity of 100% (95% CI, 96%-100%). POCUS has a sensitivity of 100% (95% CI, 63%-100%) for excluding a shoulder fracture but a specificity of 84.2% (95% CI, 75%-91%).

Conclusion: Point-of-care ultrasonography is an effective tool to either rule in or rule out shoulder dislocation in the emergency setting. Furthermore, it is a robust sensitive tool for excluding fractures but with false-positive results.