• Hilton P Gottschalk, Molly A Moor, Abd R Muhamad, Dennis R Wenger, and Burt Yaszay.
• *Department of Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery, Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, San Diego, CA †Institut Ortopedik & Traumatologi, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
• J Pediatr Orthop. 2014 Apr 1; 34 (3): 300-6.

BackgroundAccurately diagnosing and treating childhood hip sepsis is challenging. Adjacent bone and soft-tissue infections are common and can lead to delayed and inappropriate treatment. This study evaluated the effect of early advanced imaging (bone scan, magnetic resonance imaging) in the management of suspected hip sepsis.MethodsA retrospective review of pediatric patients admitted between 2003 and 2009 with suspected hip sepsis was performed. Patients were classified into 2 categories: group I-immediate hip aspiration or group II-advanced imaging performed before intervention.ResultsIn total, 130 patients (53 in group I and 77 in group II) were included. No significant differences were found between the groups with regard to laboratory values, temperature, number of anesthetics, and length of hospital stay. However, patients in group I were younger than in group II (5.4 vs. 7.3 y, P=0.02) and more patients in group I were unable to bear weight on the affected limb compared with group II (83% vs. 61%, P=0.009). In group I, 36 patients (68%) had a septic hip compared with 35 patients (45%) in group II. In group I, 16 patients (30%) required reoperation versus 13 (17%) patients in group II. Results from the multivariate analysis demonstrated that reoperation was required 2.8 times (95% confidence interval, 1.12-6.78) more often in group I as compared with group II (P=0.03).ConclusionsAdvanced imaging performed before hip aspiration improves diagnostic efficacy and may decrease the need for reoperation.Level Of EvidenceIII.

21 keywords...

hide…