Ultrasound detection of isolated lumbar transverse process fractures: a case series

Objective: To propose the usefulness of ultrasound (US) examination in diagnosing isolated lumbar transverse process fractures (ILTPF) in minor trauma as a first-line imaging and decision-making process. Methods: We report six cases of patients, who suffered from vertebral fractures after blunt trauma or sports injuries and were diagnosed with ILTPF. Data were collected from personal records and images were obtained by different doctors using the US. The results were confirmed by X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging. Results: In two cases, US-examination was able to detect ITPF after a conventional X-ray was apparently normal. In the other four cases, US-examination allowed to discover of the fractures and subsequently, they were confirmed by MRI or X-ray. Conclusion: Our cases demonstrated the usefulness of the ultrasound technique, as a first-line imaging, for spine trauma in diagnosing ITPF, in the context of minor trauma. In two cases ultrasound showed superiority to X-ray in finding the fractures.