[3-dimensional ultrasound image of the infant hip]

Clinical and experimental studies proved the usefulness of three-dimensional sonographic diagnosis by means of a newly constructed transducer providing for a coordinated sequence of cuts, and hence initial trials investigated its application in sonographic diagnosis of the infant hip. Differences were found in the three-dimensional anatomic image between normal and dysplastic hips. It is no longer necessary to draw any lines or to perform any calculations of angles as required in "conventional" hip sonography. In contrast to conventional hip sonography, the use of a sector transducer is meaningful with this method, since the drawbacks of the sector transducer stated by Graf, do not apply. Clinical studies will have to confirm the possible use of this new method in diagnosis disturbances in infant hip maturation.