Point-of-care ultrasound diagnosis of SCFE

Abstract

Introduction A13-year-old boy presented to the emergency department with left knee pain after a fall. Initial radiographs were unremarkable, but the child returned to the emergency department 6 weeks later with persistent symptoms. Materials and methods A bedside sonogram of the left hip performed by the treating emergency physician demonstrated a widened epiphyseal plate and an associated effusion, consisted with a slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE). Repeat radiographs confirmed the diagnosis. Conclusion The ultrasound features and test characteristics for the detection of SCFE are reviewed. © Springer-Verlag 2010.