Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 23, 2025
A Novel Application of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Imaging
Published on: September 17, 2013
Basic Differences and Most Common Findings in Ultrasound Examinations of Musculoskeletal System in Children: A
Tomasz Poboży1, Wojciech Konarski1, Karolina Piotrowska-Lis1
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Ciechanów Hospital, 06-400 Ciechanów, Poland.
Insights
Musculoskeletal ultrasound in children differs from adults due to anatomical variations and growth plates. This review highlights common pediatric musculoskeletal conditions diagnosed via ultrasound, aiding pediatric sonoanatomy understanding.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Radiology
- Musculoskeletal Imaging
- Pediatric Orthopedics
Background:
- Musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound examinations require different approaches in children compared to adults.
- Anatomical variations, including growth plates and non-mineralized bone, necessitate specialized pediatric MSK sonoanatomy knowledge.
- Examiner concerns often stem from these developmental differences and unfamiliarity with pediatric MSK ultrasound.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline key differences in MSK ultrasound between adult and pediatric populations.
- To discuss specific anatomical considerations in pediatric MSK sonoanatomy.
- To review common pediatric musculoskeletal pathologies identified through ultrasound.
Main Methods:
- Literature search in PubMed using keywords like "msk ultrasound in children" and "pediatric msk sonoanatomy".
- Selection of 54 relevant articles from 1657 initial results.
- Synthesis of information on pediatric MSK ultrasound techniques and common pathologies.
Main Results:
- Discussion of anatomical features like growth plates and non-mineralized bone relevant to pediatric MSK ultrasound.
- Identification and review of common pediatric musculoskeletal conditions: osteochondritis dissecans, Osgood-Schlatter disease, ligament injuries, growth plate issues, osteochondroma, joint effusions/inflammations, and Baker's cysts.
- Emphasis on pathologies like coxitis fugax, pediatric Baker's cyst, septic bone necrosis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and juvenile spondyloarthropathies.
Conclusions:
- Understanding pediatric-specific sonoanatomy is crucial for accurate MSK ultrasound interpretation in children.
- Ultrasound is a valuable tool for diagnosing a range of common pediatric musculoskeletal disorders.
- This review provides essential information for clinicians performing pediatric MSK ultrasound examinations.
Abstract:
We present basic differences in the musculoskeletal ultrasound examinations between adults and children. Examiners who deal with adults on a daily basis have shared concerns about examining children. Such concerns may arise from the different approach to child ultrasounds, but they also come from differences in anatomical characteristics according to developmental age. We discuss the presence of growth plates, as well as non-mineralized parts of the bones. We also refer to the pathologies most often found in ultrasounds in early developmental stages. In the PubMed database, the set of keywords: "msk ultrasound in children", "pediatric msk sonoanatomy", "coxitis fugax", "pediatric Baker's cyst", "Baker's cyst ultrasonography", "bone septic necrosis in ultrasonography", "ultrasonography in juvenile idiopathic arthritis", and "ultrasonography in juvenile spondyloarthropathies", was used to identify a total of 1657 results, from which 54 was selected to be included in the article. We discuss the problem of osteochondritis dissecans, Osgood-Schlatter disease, examples of ligament injuries (especially in relation to the knee and ankle joints), exfoliation of growth cartilages, osteochondroma, exudates and inflammations affecting joints, and Baker's cysts. In this way, we have collected useful information about the most common diseases of the musculoskeletal system in children.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Ultrasonography
During an ultrasonography procedure, a handheld device called...
01:20Introduction to the Skeletal System
Components of the Skeletal System
Bone, or osseous tissue, is a hard connective tissue that forms an internal support structure for the human body. Bones shield vulnerable organs and soft tissue from external forces. For example, the vertebral bones protect and support the spinal cord.
Cartilage, a semi-rigid connective tissue found in regions such as...
01:24Imaging Studies II: Ultrasonography
01:20Ultrasound I: Abdominal Ultrasonography
Abdominal ultrasonography, commonly known as abdominal ultrasound, is a vital, non-invasive medical imaging technique widely used in healthcare.
Procedure:
This diagnostic tool allows the clinician to visually inspect internal structures within the abdomen, including vital organs such as the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, kidneys, and spleen.
The abdominal ultrasound process begins with applying a special gel to the patient's skin over the abdomen. This gel enhances the...
01:25Assessment of the Abdomen I: Inspection and Auscultation
The abdominal examination is a cornerstone of clinical medicine, serving as a critical tool in diagnosing various gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. It involves a systematic approach that includes inspection and auscultation, each with distinct yet complementary roles in assessing the abdomen. This article will delve into these two primary methods healthcare professionals use to examine the abdomen.
Inspection of the Abdomen
The first step in any abdominal examination is inspection....
01:17Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System I:Echocardiography
Indications: Echocardiography is utilized to diagnose heart failure, valve disorders, and myocardial infarction. It also assesses cardiac structures' size, shape, and motion,...