Diagnosis of Fractures
Diagnostic Test list for Fractures:
The list of medical tests
mentioned in various sources as
used in the diagnosis of Fractures
includes:
Fractures Diagnosis: Book Excerpts
Diagnosis of Fractures: medical news summaries:
The following medical news items
are relevant to diagnosis and misdiagnosis issues for Fractures:
Diagnostic Tests for Fractures: Online Medical Books
16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE!
Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration,
for more information about diagnostis of Fractures.
Skull fractures:
Diagnosis
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
Suspect brain injury in all patients with a skull fracture until clinical evaluation proves otherwise. Consequently, you’ll need to obtain a thorough injury history and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or a CT scan (to locate the fracture) for every suspected skull injury. (Keep in mind that many vault fractures aren’t visible or palpable.)
A fracture also requires a neurologic examination to check cerebral function (mental status and orientation to time, place, and person), LOC, pupillary response, motor function, and deep tendon reflexes.
Using reagent strips, test the draining nasal or ear fluid for CSF. The tape will turn blue in the presence of CSF but will remain the same in the presence of blood alone. However, the tape will also turn blue if the patient is hyperglycemic. Also check the patient’s bedsheets for the halo sign — a blood-tinged spot surrounded by a lighter ring — from leakage of CSF.
Brain damage can be assessed by a CT scan and MRI, which reveal intracranial hemorrhage from ruptured blood vessels and swelling. Expanding lesions contraindicate a lumbar puncture.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Arm and leg fractures:
Diagnosis
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
A history of traumatic injury and the results of the physical examination, including gentle palpation and a cautious attempt by the patient to move parts distal to the injury, suggest an arm or leg fracture.
Note: When performing the physical examination, also check for other injuries.
CONFIRMING DIAGNOSIS Anteroposterior and lateral X-rays of the suspected fracture as well as X-rays of the joints above and below it confirm the diagnosis. (See Classifying fractures.)
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Dislocated or fractured jaw:
Diagnosis
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
CONFIRMING DIAGNOSIS Abnormal maxillary or mandibular mobility during the physical examination and a history of traumatic injury suggest a fracture or dislocation; X-rays confirm it.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Fractured nose:
Diagnosis
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
CONFIRMING DIAGNOSIS Palpation, X-rays, and clinical findings such as a deviated septum confirm a nasal fracture.
Diagnosis also requires a complete patient history, including the injury’s cause and the amount of nasal bleeding. Watch for clear fluid drainage, which may suggest a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak and a basilar skull fracture. If the patient is pregnant, a computed tomography (CT) scan is necessary.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Skull fractures:
Diagnosis
(Handbook of Diseases)
Suspect brain injury in all patients with a skull fracture until clinical evaluation proves otherwise. Every suspected skull injury calls for a thorough history of the trauma and a CT scan to attempt to locate the fracture. (Keep in mind that vault fractures often aren’t visible or palpable.)
A fracture also requires a neurologic examination to check cerebral function (mental status and orientation to time, place, and person), LOC, pupillary response, motor function, and deep tendon reflexes.
Using reagent strips, the draining nasal or ear fluid should be tested for CSF. The tape will turn blue if CSF is present; it won’t change in the presence of blood alone. However, the tape will also turn blue if the patient is hyperglycemic.
The patient’s bedsheets may show the halo sign — a blood-tinged spot surrounded by a lighter ring — from leakage of CSF.
Brain damage can be assessed through a CT scan and magnetic resonance imaging, which disclose intra-cranial hemorrhage from ruptured blood vessels and swelling. Expanding lesions contraindicate lumbar puncture.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Arm and leg fractures:
Diagnosis
(Handbook of Diseases)
A history of trauma and a physical examination, including gentle palpation and a cautious attempt by the patient to move parts distal to the injury, suggest an arm or a leg fracture.
When performing the physical examination, also check for other injuries. Anteroposterior and lateral X-rays of the suspected fracture as well as X-rays of the joints above and below it confirm the diagnosis.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Jaw dislocation or fracture:
Diagnosis
(Handbook of Diseases)
Abnormal maxillary or mandibular mobility during physical examination and a history of trauma suggest fracture or dislocation. X-rays can confirm diagnosis, but a computed tomography scan is usually necessary for accurate diagnosis and repair.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Nose, fractured:
Diagnosis
(Handbook of Diseases)
Palpation, X-rays, and signs and symptoms, such as a deviated septum, confirm a nasal fracture. The diagnosis also requires a full patient history, including the cause of the injury and the amount of nasal bleeding. Watch for clear fluid drainage, which may suggest a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak and a basilar skull fracture. A computed tomography (CT) scan may be necessary.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
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