Tag Archive for: Joint effusion

Beware The Negative Ultrasound: Two Cases Of Septic Arthritis Without Ultrasonographic Findings

Volume 6 | Issue 2 | May-August 2020 | Page: 4-6 | India Cox, Fergal Monsell


Authors : India Cox [1], Fergal Monsell [2]

[1] Department of Orthopaedics, Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, UK.

[2] Department of Orthopaedics, Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, Bristol, UK.

Address of Correspondence
Dr. India Cox,
Clinical Fellow Trauma and Orthopaedics, Musgrove
Park Hospital, Taunton, UK.
E-mail: india.cox@gmail.com


Abstract

Septic arthritis is a clinical diagnosis but ultrasound has long been used as an adjunct, with a lack of effusion on ultrasound examination being viewed as a reassuring sign. This report describes two cases of children with clinical features suggestive of septic arthritis in whom initial ultrasound failed to demonstrate a joint effusion but subsequent arthrotomy confirmed septic arthritis. We discuss some potential reasons behind this and caution that wherever clinical suspicion exists, a negative ultrasound should not be viewed as ruling out septic arthritis.
Keywords: Septic arthritis; Ultrasound, joint effusion.


References 

1. Zawin JK, Hoffer FA, Rand RR, Teele RL. Joint effusion in children with an irritable hip: US diagnosis and aspiration. Radiology 1993; 187:459-63
2. Zamzam M. The role of ultrasound in differentiating septic arthritis from transient synovitis. Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics 2006; 15:418-22
3. Chau C, Griffith J. Musculoskeletal infections: ultrasound appearances. Clinical Radiology 2005; 60:149-159
4. Jacobson JA, Andresen R, Jaovisidha S, De Maeseneer M, Foldes K, Trudell DR, Resnick D. Detection of ankle effusions: comparison study in cadavers using radiography, sonography, and MR imaging. American Journal Roentgenology 1997;170(5):1231-8
5. Gordon JE, Huang M, Dobbs M, Luhmann SJ, Szymanski DA, Schoenecker PL. Causes of false-negative ultrasound scans in the diagnosis of septic arthritis of the hip in children. Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics 2002;22:312-16.


How to Cite this Article: Cox I, Monsell F | Beware The Negative Ultrasound: Two Cases Of Septic Arthritis Without Ultrasonographic Findings | International Journal of Paediatric Orthopaedics | May-August 2020; 6(2): 04-06.

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