[Epiphyseal centers in the knee area - a sonographic and radiologic comparison]

In 26 cases we checked the possibility of representation and measurability of the lower femur- and upper tibia-epiphysis by ultrasound and compared it to corresponding X-ray investigations. No remarkable differences were seen between the results achieved by ultrasound or X-ray investigations concerning the size of the femur- and tibia-epiphysis on term. In the contrary we found differences in size of the epiphysis measured by ultrasound or X-ray before the 38th week of gestation. In some cases it was only possible to represent them by ultrasound alone. The reason for this phenomenon will be argued in the discussion.