Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) for Diagnosis and Treatment of Fractures in the Costal Cartilage (NCT07338617) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) for Diagnosis and Treatment of Fractures in the Costal Cartilage
100 participantsStarted 2026-06
Plain-language summary
The goal of this observational study is to learn if combining ultrasound and CT scans can better diagnose cartilage fractures in the ribs, and to understand how finding these injuries affects treatment decisions for patients with injuries to the Chest wall.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
* Does using both ultrasound and CT scans find more costal cartilage fractures than CT scans alone?
* Does discovering costal cartilage fractures change how patients are treated, such as whether more patients receive surgery or if different fractures are repaired?
* How do costal cartilage fractures heal, and do they affect lung function, pain, or the risk of complications after surgery?
Patients with cartilage injuries will be followed up at 1, 3, and 12 months after their injury. They will be checked for pain, instability, and healing using ultrasound and sometimes CT scans. The study will also assess lung function, quality of life, and pain levels.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Trauma patients (≥18 years) treated at the Department of Surgery, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, where CT has shown at least one recent injury to the chest wall.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Patients with injuries resulting from CPR, severe head injury, spinal injury, and neurological or musculoskeletal disease affecting chest mobility will be excluded.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Sensitivity and specificity of POCUS for injuries in rib cartilage compared to CT.
Timeframe: Index examination at patient inclusion.