Computed tomography for early evaluation of developmental dysplasia of the hip

Computed tomography (CT) provides an axial image of the dysplastic hip. We reviewed 130 CT scans performed after closed reduction for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in 42 patients (52 hips). We evaluated methods of measuring CT scans and found no described measurement that was predictive of development of avascular necrosis (AVN) or persistent acetabular dysplasia. The CT scan provides an excellent image of the infant hip when the child is in a spica cast and is useful to confirm an adequate reduction. No patient in this series lost reduction after 2 weeks.