NCT06766721

Ultrasound for Diagnosing Costochondral Joint Separation

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

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 51 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Caner İşevi, MD · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 80 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

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.

Conditions

• Rib Fractures
• Thoracic Injuries

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
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 gold standard. This intervention is designed to evaluate the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of ultrasound as a diagnostic tool in this context.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-12-01
• Primary completion: 2027-03-01
• Completion: 2027-03-01
• First posted: 2025-01-09
• Last updated: 2025-04-01

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)