Protocol of plain radiographs, hip ultrasound, and triple phase bone scans in the evaluation of the painful pediatric hip

Journal Article · Fri Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1988 · Clin. Pediatr. (Philadelphia); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1177/000992288802700401· OSTI ID:7241879

Alexander, J E; Seibert, J J; Aronson, J; Williamson, S L; Glasier, C M; Rodgers, A B; Corbitt, S L

A useful protocol for the evaluation of hip pain in the pediatric patient, using a combination of plain radiographs, hip ultrasound (US), and triple phase radionuclide bone scans is presented. Patients with hip pain were initially evaluated by plain radiographs of the pelvis and hips. If no diagnosis was reached, the hips were studied for effusions by real-time hip ultrasonography. If an effusion was present, the joint was aspirated for diagnosis. If no effusion was present by US or if no diagnosis was reached by aspiration, triple phase radionuclide bone scans were performed. Fifty patients were evaluated by this prospective protocol, and the diagnosis was reached in 48 of the 50 cases (10 by plain radiographs, 16 by US, and aspiration of the joint, and 22 by triple phase bone scans). Hip effusions were found in 20 patients by US, with no false positives or false negatives. Previous studies for detecting effusions by US have emphasized absolute measurements of the capsular width, but we report a typical appearance of the hip capsule when fluid is present (a bulging convex capsule). When no effusion is present, the capsule is concave and parallels the long axis of the femoral neck.

• Research Organization: Arkansas Children's Hospital, Little Rock (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7241879
• Journal Information: Clin. Pediatr. (Philadelphia); (United States), Vol. 27:4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
SKELETAL DISEASES
DIAGNOSIS
BIOMEDICAL RADIOGRAPHY
BONE JOINTS
PAIN
PATIENTS
PELVIS
RADIOISOTOPE SCANNING
SKELETON
ULTRASONOGRAPHY
BODY
BODY AREAS
COUNTING TECHNIQUES
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
DISEASES
MEDICINE
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ORGANS
RADIOLOGY
SYMPTOMS
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