OBJECTIVES:Spinal cord injury (SCI) can lead to motor, sensory, or autonomic dysfunction and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to investigate the impact of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and clinical findings in the Emergency Department (ED) on neurological outcomes in patients with traumatic SCI. METHODS:This observational study included 59 patients with traumatic SCI admitted to Dokuz Eylül University Hospital's ED between January 1 2009, and October 1, 2019. Clinical findings were assessed using the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) scale. Demographics, clinical findings, MRI parameters, treatment, and short-term (28 ± 7 days) neurological outcomes were compared between the complete (ASIA A) and incomplete (ASIA B, C, D, and E) injury groups. RESULTS:The incidence of SCI was 98.7 per million. The median age was 37 years (IQR: 27-52), with 86.4% of the patients being male. Common causes included diving into shallow water (30.5%) and falling from heights (25.4%). Complete injury (ASIA A) was observed in 40.7% of cases, while incomplete injury (ASIA B, C, D, and E) was found in 59.3%. The most frequently affected levels were C4 (18.6%) and C5 (23.7%). No improvement was observed in the complete injury group, whereas 44% of the incomplete injury group showed improvement (P < 0.001). Common MRI findings included cord edema (96.6%), vertebral fracture/dislocation (86.4%), and soft-tissue injury (84.7%). Significant differences in MRI findings between the complete and incomplete SCI groups were observed in vertebral fracture/dislocation (P = 0.016), cord compression (P = 0.003), canal stenosis (P = 0.008), intramedullary hemorrhage (P ≤ 0.001), hemorrhage/hemorrhagic contusion (P ≤ 0.001), anterior ligament damage (P = 0.001), posterior ligament damage (P = 0.01), maximum canal compression (MCC) (P = 0.006), and lesion length (P = 0.008). CONCLUSION:Traumatic SCI primarily affects young males, often resulting from activities such as diving into shallow water, falls from heights, and motor vehicle accidents. Initial clinical assessments are insufficient for predicting neurological outcomes. Although MRI findings are more frequent in complete SCI, lesion length, and MCC do not reliably predict short-term neurological improvement.

OBJECTIVES:Several scoring systems are used to predict prognosis in acute pancreatitis (AP), but their predictive success varies. This study compares the validity of the commonly used Bedside Index of Severity in AP (BISAP) score with the newly developed WL score and the Chinese Simple Scoring System (CSSS) score in predicting mortality and unfavorable prognostic outcomes in AP patients. METHODS:This retrospective descriptive study included all AP patients presenting to the emergency department from June 2, 2019, to June 2, 2022. Patient demographics, vital signs, laboratory values, and imaging findings were recorded, and WL, CSSS, and BISAP scores were calculated. The effectiveness of these scores in predicting adverse outcomes and mortality was compared. RESULTS:Among 357 patients, 53.2% were male, with a median age of 62 years (interquartile range: 48-75). Area under the curve (AUC) values for 7-day outcomes were 0.956 for WL, 0.759 for CSSS, and 0.871 for BISAP; for 30-day outcomes, AUC values were 0.941 for WL, 0.823 for CSSS, and 0.901 for BISAP; and for poor prognostic outcomes, AUC values were 0.792 for WL, 0.769 for CSSS, and 0.731 for BISAP. CONCLUSION:In AP patients, WL, CSSS, and BISAP scores are effective predictors of unfavorable prognosis and mortality. WL score outperforms the CSSS and BISAP scores in predicting 7-day and 30-day mortality and poor prognosis. After WL, BISAP is the second-best system for predicting mortality. For predicting unfavorable prognoses, CSSS is the second-best system after WL. The simplicity of calculating the WL score based on four laboratory parameters makes it a preferable choice.

OBJECTIVES:Supraglottic airway (SGA) devices are good alternatives for failed intubations or difficult airways. The aim of our study was to compare the success of intubation with SGA devices such as LMA Fastrach® (LMA Fastrach), Ambu Aura-i® (Aura-i), and Cookgas Air-Q® (Air-Q) in an airway manikin by novice practitioners. METHODS:This study was conducted in a randomized crossover design using a manikin model. Following training on the equipment used, 36 6th-year medical students were randomized into six groups. Participants performed three stages of intubation as follows: the first stage (1S) as SGA insertion, the second stage (2S) as intubation through the SGA, and the third stage (3S) as the removal of the SGA over the intubation tube. The primary outcomes were intubation success and duration. RESULTS:The successful intubation rate (Stage 1S + 2S + 3S) was 100% for LMA Fastrach and Air-Q and 83.3% for Aura-i (P = 0.002). The median time to intubation was 54.4 s, 55.8 s, and 58.7 s for LMA Fastrach, Aura-i, and Air-Q, respectively (P = 0.794). CONCLUSION:Our study shows that novice practitioners can proficiently utilize LMA Fastrach, Air-Q, and Aura-i as SGAs in airway management. LMA Fastrach and Air-Q are more successful for endotracheal intubation than Aura-i. While the successful intubation time with SGA is similar for all three devices, the successful SGA insertion time is shorter with LMA Fastrach and Aura-i compared to Air-Q. Practitioners preferred LMA Fastrach and Air-Q more than Aura-i.

Aim: Procalcitonin (PCT) is a biomarker for infection, which has grown in popularity in recent years. In our study, we investigated whether there was a relationship between procalcitonin levels and seven-day mortality in all patients whose procalcitonin levels were measured in the emergency department (ED). Material and Methods: In this single-center, cross-sectional, analytic, retrospective study, the patients whose PCT levels were measured in Dokuz Eylül University Hospital adult emergency department between 01.01.2016 and 31.03.2016 were included. PCT level and other parameters were evaluated in the survived and non- survived groups, Results: We analyzed 499 patients whose PCT levels were measured. The median age was 74 (IQR: 63-82) years, and 54% were male. Of the 499 patients, 6 (1.2%) had a low procalcitonin level (median 0.03: IQR 0.02-0.04), 407 (81.6%) had an intermediate procalcitonin level (median 0.26; IQR 0.16-0.54) and 86 (17.2%) had a high procalcitonin level (median 5.54; IQR 3.20-15.31). When the PCT level-high group was compared with the other groups; systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), platelet count, pCO2 were lower and pulse rate, WBC, lactate, base excess values were higher. It was found that 249 (49.9%) of the patients were discharged from the ED, 112 (22.4%) were hospitalized, 66 (13.2%) were hospitalized in the intensive care unit, and 72 (14.4%) died. The PCT level was higher in the non-survivor group than in the survivor group (0.29 ngr/mL vs 1.07 ngr/mL, p

Abstract Aims The National Early Warning Score (NEWS) is a scoring system that predicts increased mortality and morbidity in critical diseases. The National Early Warning Score + Lactate (NEWS + L) score was created by adding lactate values to this scoring system. In our study, we aimed to determine the value of the NEWS + L score in predicting clinical deterioration in patients presenting with acute decompensated heart failure (chronic heart failure). Methods and results In this observational, cross‐sectional study, patients with decompensated heart failure who were admitted to the emergency department between 1 October 2020 and 31 December 2020 were included. Patients were divided into two groups: those with and without poor prognostic outcomes. The main outcomes were in‐hospital mortality, discharge after treatment in the emergency department, admission to the ward, and admission to the intensive care unit. We analysed a total of 141 applications from 130 patients. The mean age was 72.6 ± 11.8 years, and 50.8% were female. Poor prognostic outcomes were observed in 92 (65%) patients. There was no difference between the patients with and without poor prognostic outcomes in terms of mean age, gender, and comorbidities, except for atrial fibrillation. There was a statistically significant difference between the patients without and with poor prognosis outcomes in terms of NEWS {3 [interquartile range (IQR): 0–5] and 6 [IQR: 3–8]} and NEWS + L scores [4.7 (IQR: 2.3–7.2) and 8.0 (IQR: 5.2–10.4)] (P < 0.001). The area under the curve values for predicting poor prognosis were calculated as 0.719 for NEWS, 0.734 for NEWS + L, and 0.601 for lactate values. The rate of poor prognostic outcomes was higher (79%) in patients with moderate and high NEWS scores. Patients with Q1 NEWS + L scores had a lower rate of poor prognostic outcomes, while patients with Q2, Q3, and Q4 scores of NEWS + L had a higher rate of poor prognostic outcomes. Conclusions The NEWS score and the addition of the lactate value to this score, the NEWS + L score, were higher in patients with poor prognostic outcomes who presented with decompensated heart failure in our emergency department. NEWS + L slightly outperformed the NEWS score in predicting prognosis. The NEWS + L score shows promise as a prognostic indicator for patients with decompensated heart failure presenting to the emergency department.

Acil tıbbı, tüm yönleriyle tanı, tedavi ve uygulamalar açısından irdelediğimiz kitabımızın, üçüncü ve genişletilmiş basımını sizlerle paylaşmaktan büyük mutluluk duymaktayım

It’s known that head computed tomography (CT) is used excessively to exclude intracranial hemorrhage in patients with hepatic encephalopathy (HE) in the emergency department. However, the independent risk factors for abnormal head CT in patients with HE have not been studied extensively to date. In this retrospective study, patients with an ammonia level of >90 U/L who were clinically considered HE and had head CT were included. The characteristics of patients with abnormal head CT and independent risk factors for abnormal CT were investigated. Three hundred seventy-eight patients were included in the study. CT findings of 18 (4.8%) of the patients were abnormal: 12 had intracranial hemorrhage, 1 had an ischemic stroke, and 5 had an intracranial mass. Intracranial hemorrhage (odds ratio [OR] 12.5), history of recent trauma (OR 23.4), history of active malignancy (OR 10.3), thrombocyte count <100.000/μL (OR 4.3), and international normalized ratio ≥1.5 (OR 3.2) were found to be independent risk factors for abnormal head CT. Head CT scan may be considered in patients with HE if any of the following are present: intracranial bleeding history, recent trauma history, active malignancy, platelet count <100,000/μL, and international normalized ratio >1.5.

Aim: Hypercapnic respiratory failure is defined as a carbon dioxide (CO2) level >45 mmHg. High PaCO2 levels are related with increased mortality in acute exacerbation of COPD. In our study, we aimed to determine CO2 clearance value for predicting patients' prognosis. Material and Methods: 68 patients were included in the study. The patients were divided into two as, good and poor prognosis groups according to the outcome. The patients’ demographic information, comorbidities, vital parameters, blood gas results on admission (first measurement) and in the first sixth hour (second measurement), treatment, and outcomes were recorded in data forms. The relation between CO2 change and outcome was evaluated. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in CO2 clearance and delta pCO2 levels between the good and poor prognosis groups (11.7±12 vs. 6.2 ± 23, p=0.205 and -11.77±12.92 mmHg vs. -7.66±24.76 mmHg, p=0.281 respectively). NaHCO3 levels in the second measurement were higher than the first measurement in both good (23.89 ±5.28, 25.78±4.39, p<0.0001) and poor prognosis (23,26±6.05, 23.53 ± 5.05, p<0.0001) groups. And also, pCO2 levels in the second measurement was lower than the first measurement in the good (60.68 ± 11.89, 48.92 ± 14.02, p=0.007) and poor (68.04 ± 20.15, 61.76 ± 22.87, p=0.007) prognosis groups. There was also a significant decrease in lactate levels in the poor prognosis group between the first and the second measurements (p<0.001). Conclusion: Our study revealed that the CO2 clearance calculated in the first six hours in hypercarbic patients who came to the emergency department with shortness of breath was not useful in predicting the short-term prognosis of the patients. However, delta lactate and delta NaHCO3 levels significantly changed in the poor prognosis group.

Objective We aimed to determine the effect of fibrinolytic therapy on hemodynamic parameters at 4 hours after treatment and bleeding complications in patients with intermediate- and high-risk pulmonary embolism. Methods This single-center, retrospective, cohort study included patients with intermediate- and high-risk pulmonary embolism treated with fibrinolytics. Their demographic and clinical characteristics, complications, and vital signs at the initiation of and 4 hours after fibrinolytic therapy were evaluated. The primary outcome was the change in the patients' vital signs at 4 hours after fibrinolytic therapy, compared by the Mann-Whitney U-test. Results Seventy-nine patients were included in this study. The systolic and diastolic blood pressures of the high-risk group at 4 hours after fibrinolytic therapy were higher than those at the initiation of fibrinolytic therapy (80 mmHg vs. 99 mmHg, P = 0.029; 49 mmHg vs. 67 mmHg, P = 0.011, respectively). In the intermediate-risk group, the oxygen saturation increased (94% vs. 96%, P = 0.004) and pulse rate decreased (104 beats/min vs. 91 beats/min, P < 0.001). Conclusion Blood pressure at 4 hours after fibrinolytic therapy increased in patients with high-risk pulmonary embolism. Also, oxygen saturation and pulse rate improved in intermediate-risk patients.

BACKGROUND:This study aims to reveal whether the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) increases in hepatic encephalopathy (HE) patients, and to determine ONSD is associated with the poor prognosis of patients with HE.METHODS AND MATERIAL:In this retrospective case-control study, HE patients who underwent cranial computerized tomography (CT) were included in the case group; and the patients who underwent CT for other reasons for the same age and gender and were normally interpreted were included in the control group. ONSD measurements in the case and control groups and clinical grades of HE with in-hospital mortality and ONSD measurements were compared in the case group.RESULTS:This study was done with 74 acute HE patients and 74 control patients. The mean age was 62.9 ± 11.0 years and 67.6% of patients were male in both groups. The ONSD in the case group was higher than the control group (5.27-mm ± 0.82 vs 4.73 mm ± 0.57, p <0.001). In the case group, the ONSD was 5.30 mm ± 0.87 in survivors, and 5.21 ± 0.65 in non-survivors (P = 0.670). There was no significant difference between the West Haven HE grade (P = 0.348) and Child-Pugh Score (P = 0.505) with ONSD measurements.CONCLUSION:We have shown that ONSD increases in HE patients compared to the control group. ONSD was not related to the Child-Pugh Score, HE grade, and in-hospital mortality.

OBJECTIVES: Many studies have recently been conducted on measuring optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) with computed tomography (CT). However, no studies focused on the interrater reliability in ONSD measurements with CT yet. Our first aim was to investigate the interrater reliability of the emergency medicine residents in the measurement of the ONSD with CT. Our secondary aim was to evaluate the interrater reliability and agreement of the emergency medicine residents and neuroradiologist measurements, which is the gold standard.METHODS: Twelve residents (six seniors and six juniors) and a neuroradiologist measured ONSD in twenty different CTs in axial and sagittal planes. The interrater reliability was calculated by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and the level of agreement in categorical variables was calculated by kappa (κ) analysis.RESULTS: We found that the interrater reliability level of all residents was "good" (ICC: 0.824), for seniors was "good" (ICC: 0.824), and for juniors was "moderate" (ICC: 0.748) in the measurement of ONSD. ICC was 0.812 for axial, and 0.783 for sagittal plane measurements. The interrater reliability between residents and the neuroradiologist measurements was "good" (ICC 0.891), and the agreement was found to be "good" (κ: 0.688; P < 0.001). The sensitivity of residents in detecting increased ONSD was 78%, and specificity was 90.8%.CONCLUSION: The ONSD measurements with CT performed by the residents are reliable in themselves, and they are compatible with the gold standard measurements.

Background: Tracheal intubation is a procedure that may cause various complications. The primary aim of this study is to investigate whether the Bispectral Index (TM) (BIS) can predict tracheal intubation complications sooner than other monitoring parameters. Methods: A total of 55 consecutive patients were intubated. Sociodemographic data, the reason for tracheal intubation, diagnosis, starting dose or dose increase of a vasopressor drug, use of sedatives and muscle-relaxing agents, vital signs, BIS scores, and end-tidal CO2 values before the procedure, during laryngoscopy, and within 30 min after tracheal intubation were recorded along with their tracheal intubation-related complications. Results: The mean age of the patients was 75.1 +/- 14.4 years. Pneumonia (n = 17, 30.9%) and sepsis (n = 14, 25.5%) were found to be the two most prominent diagnoses. The most common indications for intubation were a low Glasgow Coma Scale score of <= 8 (67.3%) and respiratory failure (61.8%). Postintubation hemodynamic instability developed in 38 patients (69.1%).The BIS value obtained at minute 3 was the lowest among all measurements. Significantly lower values of BIS (minute 3) were found for patients with postintubation hemodynamic instability (46 vs. 72, p = 0.039). Using ketamine (OR = 8.99, 95% CI: 1.60-50.47, p = 0.013) and systoloc blood pressure (OR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01-1.05, p = 0.017) were found to be significant risk factors for the development of postintubation hemodynamic instability. Conclusion: In this study, the lowest BIS values were detected at minute three after intubation. The BIS values obtained at minute three were found to be significantly associated with the development of postintubation hemodynamic instability. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

• 1. Why is this topic important?. Previous studies suggested β2 agonists cause lactic acidosis. However, the evidences based on case reports and retrospective studies. • 2. What does this study attempt to show?. We aimed to determine whether there is a change in lactate levels in patients who are treated with salbutamol. • 3. What are the key findings?. Most patients had decreased or stable lactate levels after salbutamol. Salbutamol may not be associated with lactate elevation. • 4. How is patient care impacted?. The concern about salbutamol causes lactate elevation should be reconsidered.

BACKGROUND:Sepsis is a significant contributor of mortality all over the world. Emergency departments have a critical role for diagnosing a suspected sepsis in a patient, since early and proper administration of antibiotics may decrease mortality significantly. But, the unavailability of an objective and reliable diagnostic test is the major challenge of this critical issue. AIMS:The aim of this study is to evaluate the prognostic value of a novel biomarker, the ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) in patients with sepsis and septic shock in emergency department. SUBJECTS AND METHODS:This prospective, observational study included 81 patients with sepsis or septic shock and 75 controls. Sociodemographic characteristics of the patients, site of infection, IMA levels, other biomarkers (procalcitonin, pH, lactate), mortality at 24-h and 28-day were evaluated. RESULTS:The serum IMA levels in patient and control groups were 117.8 ± 85 IU/g and 115.8 ± 134.0 IU/g, respectively (P = 0.072). There was a weak but statistically significant positive correlation between IMA and lactate levels (P = 0.009). The mortality rates of patient group at 24-h and 28 days were 21% and 79%, respectively, but serum IMA levels were not found to be a prognostic marker to predict mortality. CONCLUSION:The main reason for the similarity between groups regarding IMA levels was thought to be associated with the distribution of the acute and chronic health problems other than sepsis in the control group. Emergency department physicians should not only depend on serum IMA levels for predicting the prognosis of patients with sepsis or septic shock.

Background: Studies on prognostic indicators in patients with acute kidney injury are limited. This study investigated 1-week mortality, laboratory and clinical parameters according to the lactate levels in patients with acute kidney injury. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we compared the lactate levels on admission and follow-up in emergency department with vital findings, laboratory parameters, and 1-week mortality. Results: Data of 3375 patients examined; 2681 patients excluded and 694 patients were included. Median lactate level on admission was 1.6 (1.1-2.5) mmol/L for patients who discharged from emergency department, 2.2 (1.3-3.4) mmol/L for patients admitted to the hospital wards, 3.7 (1.7-7.2) mmol/L for patients admitted to the intensive care unit and 4.4 (2.4-8.0) mmol/L for patients with mortality within 1-week of ED presentation. Mortality was 30.4% in patients with high lactate levels and 8.1% in patients with normal lactate levels on admission. (p < 0.001, odds ratio 5.0, 95% CI 3.2-7.7) Elevated lactate level was independent risk factor for 1-week-mortality. (p < 0.001, odds ratio 1.138, 95% CI 1.067-1.214) Patients with high lactate levels have low systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, oxygen saturation, pH, base deficit, and bicarbonate, and higher heart rate and respiratory rate. The mortality of patients with normal lactate levels on admission was 8.1%, while mortality rate increased to 19% if elevated lactate levels observed during emergency department follow-up. Conclusions: Elevated lactate level predicts 1-week mortality in patients presenting with acute kidney injury in emergency department. Elevated lactate level were associated with poorer vital signs and abnormal laboratory results.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the compliance between electroencephalogram monitoring (Bispectral Index, BIS) and Ramsay Sedation Scale (RSS) to measure the depth of sedation in patients who underwent procedural sedation and analgesia (PSA) in an emergency department.This study also aimed to investigate the usefulness of this compliance for early diagnosis of complications. METHODS:A total of 54 consecutive patients during PSA in the emergency department were included in this study.The BIS and RSS scores at regular intervals and also all complications and interventions of these patients were evaluated.The compliance between the BIS and the RSS score was evaluated.The BIS scores of cases with complication and without complication were compared. RESULTS:The BIS and RSS scores exhibited a high correlation was detected between the average BIS and RSS scores at each time interval (r=-0.989,p<0.001).The BIS scores of the complicated and uncomplicated cases were different at 15 min after the procedure (p=0.019).The cases were divided into two groups according to the BIS scores <70 and ≥70; complication rates were higher in the BIS score <70 group during the procedure (p=0.037). CONCLUSION:In our study, a high correlation was detected between BIS monitoring and RSS scores.BIS monitoring for PSA can be used as a full-time, objective, and an alternative technique for person-dependent clinical scales and also as an indicator for early diagnosis of complications.

Introduction: Triage systems are useful tools to detecting severity of illness in the emergency department’s waiting areas. Because of the lack of similarity in terms of disease and the patient profile each triage system may not be effective in another country. Dokuz Eylul Triage System was developed as a five-level triage system and this paper evaluates validity and reliability of Dokuz Eylul Triage System to use in a tertiary Turkish emergency department. Methods: This study was performed in a tertiary emergency department. Patients with any symptoms who were admitted to the emergency department in one-month period and selected by systematic sampling method were included into the study. Hospital admission, length of stay in the emergency department, 48h mortality, resource uses were assessed for validity and blinded paired triage assignments were compared with weighted kappa analysis for reliability. Results: Five-hundred-sixty-seven patients were enrolled; 30 were excluded. The resulting of 537 patients was 55% female and had a median age of 46 years. Seven of them were triage level-1 (1.3%), 142 of them were level-2 (26.4%), 167 of them were level-3 (31.1%), 166 of them were level-4 (30.9%) and 55 of them were level-5 (10.3%). Weighted kappa for triage assignment was found as 0.825. Resource use, hospitalization rates, mean length of stay and 48h mortality were found as strongly associated with triage level. Over-triage rate was 15.5%, under-triage rate was 3.7% and the sensitivity and specificity of the triage system were calculated 99.3% and 96%. Conclusions: Dokuz Eylul Triage System is a reliable and validated five-category triage algorithm for Turkey to be implanted into clinical practice of a tertiary emergency department. We report that Dokuz Eylul Triage System could be able to detect and sieve the patients safely who need resuscitation and emergent care.

Extreme heat wave increases the number of emergency department (ED) admissions and mortality rates. The purpose of our study is to investigate the effects of the heat wave experienced in Izmir province of Turkey on mortality. During a 9-day period between 17th and 25th June 2016 (study period), air temperature values were higher than the seasonal norms in Izmir, Turkey. In this cross-sectional study, nontraumatic admissions and in-hospital mortality rates were compared this historical interval of the extreme heat wave with the same period of the previous year and the other 21 days of June 2016. The average air temperature between 17th and 25th June 2016, was higher than the average air temperature of the previous year's same period and the average air temperature from the other 21 days of June 2016 (27.8 +/- 3.6 degrees C, (24.5 +/- 1.9 degrees C, 24.1 +/- 2.1 degrees C, respectively) (P<.01) During the study period, the mean number of ED visits and mortality rates were significantly higher than the previous year's same period (320 +/- 30/day vs 269 +/- 27/day, [P<.01], and 1.6% vs 0.7%, [P<.01]). Although the admission rate was similar between the study period and the other 21 days of June 2016 (320 +/- 30/day vs 310 +/- 32/day, [P=.445]); in-hospital mortality rate was significantly higher during study period (1.6% vs 0.7%, [P<.01]). During the extreme heat waves, ED admissions and in-hospital mortality rates are increased. Precautions should be addressed for adaptation of people to extreme hot weather.

Objective: Many studies in the literature related to the investigation of the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound examinations in lateral malleolar fractures is limited. The aim of this study is to investigate the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound examinations performed by emergency physicians in fractures who are presented to the emergency department with blunt lateral malleolar trauma. Method: Patients over 18 years of age who were admitted to the ED with lateral malleolar tenderness were enrolled to this study with convenience sampling. Ultrasonographic examination was performed by emergency physicians. Following the ultrasound examination, a two-sided X-ray was performed. In the case of inconsistency between the US exam and the X-ray evaluated by the emergency physician, a CT was performed on the patients. The X-ray or CT imaging evaluation of an orthopedic surgeon was accepted as the gold standard. Results: A hundred-twenty patients were included in the study. Fractures in the lateral malleolus were detected in 47 patients. The sensitivity of X-ray in the diagnosis of lateral malleolar fractures was 92.8%, (95% CI, 79.4-98.1) and the specificity was 100% (95% CI, 89.5-100), while the sensitivity of US exam was 100% (95% CI, 94.1-100), and the specificity was 93% (95% CI, 85-97.6). X-ray gave false negative results in 3 patients, whereas US gave false positive results in 5 patients. Conclusion: In patients admitted to ED with lateral malleolus tenderness, the sensitivity of the ultrasound examination performed by emergency physicians regarding diagnosis of lateral malleolar fracture is higher than X-ray. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.