Role of ultrasonography in early detection of hip joint infection in neonates

Introduction
Septic arthritis of the hip requires urgent attention because it is not only a medical but also a surgical emergency. Even minimal delay in the diagnosis and treatment causes permanent disability, crippling, and lifelong hip deformity. Neonates are more susceptible to be affected with hip arthritis due to decreased immunity. Neonatal intensive care unit admission is a common risk factor. Not only effusion, but also the status of the intra-articular compartment, articular surface, joint capsule, and adjacent soft tissue can be examined using ultrasonography (US). US also allows for image-guided paracentesis of hip effusion as well as for monitoring the progress of the disease.
Objective
The main objective of this study is to evaluate the role of US as a screerning tool in early diagnosis of hip joint infection in neonates admitted at the neonatal intensive care unit at our center for different neonatal medical and surgical problems.
Results
This study included 260 neonates (520 hips), 67.3% of which were men. Using the US there was evidence of intra-articular infection and complications in only one hip.
Conclusion
Being a nonionizing, easily available, noninvasive, relatively cheap imaging technique, US is of great help in diagnosing early as well as late suspected cases of septic arthritis of the hip with well-defined sonographic signs in sagittal and coronal views. US also helps in differentiating intra-articular from extra-articular abnormalities. It is also helpful in monitoring the progress/resolution of the disease.