PURPOSE: We wished to compare the ability of ultrasonography and radiography performed on the same day to detect rib fractures in minor chest injuries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred and fifteen patients with minor chest injuries were selected. Radiography and ultrasonography were performed on the same day with these patients. Chest wall pain was the only presenting symptom. Two radiologists performed ultrasonography. Fractures were identified by a disruption of the anterior margin of the rib and costal cartilage. The incidence and location of fractures and complications revealed by radiography and ultrasonography were compared. RESULTS: Radiographs revealed the presence of 70 rib fractures in 50 (23%) of 215 patients and ultrasonography revealed the presence of 203 rib fractures in 133 (62%) of 215 patients. Ultrasonography uniquely identified 133 rib fractures in 83 patients. Ultrasonography identified a 2.9 fold increase in the number of fractures in a 2.6 fold number of subjects as compared to radiography. Of the 203 sonographically detected fractures, 201 were located in the rib, one was located at the costochondral junction, and one in the costal cartilage. There were no complications seen by either radiography or ultrasonography. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonography reveals more fractures than those that may be overlooked on radiography for minor chest injuries.
Cartilage ; Humans ; Incidence ; Radiography* ; Rib Fractures* ; Ribs* ; Thoracic Injuries* ; Thoracic Wall ; Thorax* ; Ultrasonography*

BACKGROUND: Granisetron, a new 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, was reported as a highly effective antiemetics, especially in combination with dexamethasone, in the prevention of acute emesis induced by cisplatin. But there is lack of data about effectiveness in the prevention of delayed emesis. In this study, the efficacy of granisetron plus dexamethasone in the prevention of delayed emesis induced by cisplatin was evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-four patients who were to receive high-dose cisplatin containing chemotherapy regimen were enrolled in this study. They were received 20 mg of dexamethasone and 3 mg of granisetron at 30 min and 10 minutes prior to cisplatin infusion, respectively. They were monitored for 5 days, first 24 hours for acute nausea/ vomiting and the subsequent 4 days for delayed nausea/vomiting. Antiemetic effect of granisetron was evaluated according to the criteria of Italian Group of Antiemetic Research. RESULTS: Control of delayed nausea and vomiting was achieved in 58% and 84%, respectively. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status was a statistically significant prognostic factor for control of acute vomiting and delayed nausea/vomiting. There were no stastically significant differences between control of delayed nausea/ vomiting and other prognostic factors, including sex, age, and prior history of cisplatin therapy. The antiemetic effect was greater in the patients who had controled acute nausea/ vomiting than those who had not. CONCLUSION: Granisetron plus dexamethasone is an excellent regimen in the control of not only acute emesis but also delayed emesis induced by high-dose cisplatin chemotherapy.
Antiemetics ; Cisplatin ; Dexamethasone* ; Drug Therapy ; Granisetron* ; Humans ; Nausea* ; Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT3 ; Serotonin ; Vomiting*