The use of sonography when performing differential diagnostics of Legg- Calv- Perthes disease and transient synovitis

Abstract

The article shows the results of sonographic research of hip joints in 41 children with coxalgia, to differentiate Perthes disease and transient synovitis. The authors believe that sonographic research of hip joints can be used during differential diagnostics between Legg-Calve-Perthes disease on the pre-roentgenologic stage and transient synovitis. Sonographic research of hip joints in pediatric patients should be performed in all cases of coxalgia of uncertain causes in dynamics, with an interval of 7-14 days. The likely signs of the whirlbone osteochondropathy development is considered to be synovitis that lasts longer than 4-5 weeks, expansion and thickening of periarticular soft tissues shadows, increasing intensity and expansion of the joint capsule shadow, expansion of intramuscular gaps between medium, small and sciatic iliopsoas muscles due to edema, structural irregularity and reduction of echogenicity of the epiphysis cartilage.