Point-of-Care Ultrasound for Diagnosis of Mandibular Fracture in a Pediatric Patient: A Case Report

Abstract

Point-of-care ultrasound has been shown to be effective in diagnosing many types of fractures, including nasal fractures, but it is not commonly used in pediatrics to diagnose mandibular fractures. We describe a case of a mandibular fracture diagnosed by point-of-care ultrasound in the pediatric emergency department. Additional studies are needed in the pediatric population to determine if point-of-care ultrasound can diagnose mandibular fracture rapidly and accurately, expediting diagnosis and potentially minimizing exposure to ionizing radiation in patients with no point-of-care ultrasound evidence of mandibular fracture.