The transient synovitis of the hip is a non-specific inflammatory, self-limited condition and known as the most common cause of painful limping in children under 10 years of age.
The transient synovitis of the hip is a clinical diagnosis and confirmed by excluding more severe form of arthropathy, such as septic arthritis, LCP disease, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. osteomyelitis and early slipped femoral epiphysis.
The ultrasonography is very useful in evaluation of small amount of joint effusion and has several advantages such as noninvasiveness. Easiness, accuracy and no radiation hazard.
We performed ultrsonographic examination of 56 patients, diagnosed clinically as transient synovitis of hip from Mar. 1990 to Mar. 1992.
Authors analyzed characteristics of transient synovitis with serial hip joint ultrasonography.
@ES The results are as follows:
@EN 1. We regarded as abnormal effusion when the ultrasonographic joint space(UJS) was greater than 6mm or capsuletobone distance (CBD) greater than 2mm. Most patients(80%) showed abnormal effusion on ultrasonography.
2. Clinical grade has given from l to IV. According to the severity of the clinical symptoms and signs. Most of the patients(80%) were belonged to grade II and III. The higher grade, the more effusion was identified.
3. The most favorable position of hip in ultrasonography was extension. slight abduction and external rotation.
4. The radiologic examination of the hip joint was an inappropriate tool to evaluate the transient synovitis due to lower sensivity and specificity for detection of joint effusion.
5. Arthrosonographically, the capsular distensions were classified into two group, 'synovial effusion type' and 'synovitis type' Most patients (78%) showed 'synovial effusion type' capsular extension.
6. Ultrasound-guided aspiration for severe transient synovitis of the hip was satisfactory procedure in diagnosis and treatment.
7. Ultrasongraphy may provide significant diagnostic clues to differentiate septic arthritis and early LCP disease from transient synovitis.
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