Pediatric hip: pearls and pitfalls

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Orthopedics
• Musculoskeletal Imaging

Background:

• Pediatric hip pathology presentation varies significantly with patient age.
• Common conditions include developmental dysplasia of the hip in newborns, and Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease or slipped capital femoral epiphysis in older children.
• Symptoms like pain, limp, or leg length discrepancy prompt evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the age-dependent nature of pediatric hip pathology.
• To emphasize the importance of recognizing differences between the pediatric and adult growing skeleton.
• To review classic imaging findings for common pediatric hip conditions.

Main Methods:

• Review of common pediatric hip pathologies across different age groups.
• Discussion of age-specific clinical presentations.
• Emphasis on characteristic imaging findings for each condition.

Main Results:

• Newborns are typically screened for developmental dysplasia of the hip.
• Toddlers and older children may present with pain, limp, or leg length discrepancy due to conditions like transient synovitis, septic arthritis, Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, slipped capital femoral epiphysis, or avulsion fractures.
• Distinct imaging features are associated with each diagnosis.

Conclusions:

• Accurate diagnosis of pediatric hip pathology necessitates understanding age-related variations.
• Knowledge of the growing skeleton's unique characteristics is essential.
• Familiarity with classic imaging findings aids in timely and correct diagnosis.