Accuracy of the tongue blade test in patients with suspected mandibular fracture

摘要: The inter-observer reliability and accuracy of the tongue blade test (TBT) for identification patients with mandibular fracture was prospectively evaluated using radiographic diagnosis as gold standard. A consecutive sample 110 presenting to emergency department a teaching county hospital studied. Patients uninterpretable x-rays, known fracture, or inability cooperate were excluded. Bilateral ability crack wooden held between teeth scored negative test. Fifty-three had fractures. In study group, TBT sensitivity 95.7%; specificity 63.5%; positive predictive value 66.2%; 95.2%; an 77.3%. provided contributory evidence useful in screening fracture.