Paediatric hip ultrasound: uncertainties in examination and choice of treatment

PurposeIn Germany, neonates undergo hip sonography examination using the Graf method during the routine U3 screening examination, performed by consultant physicians four to five weeks after birth, and are referred to specialized orthopaedic departments if there are any uncertainties. This study evaluated the quality of sonographic screening in the outpatient sector and the treatment requirements of referred children. MethodsWe performed a retrospective analysis of the patient data of 384 neonates collected in consultations performed between April 2016 and April 2019. ResultsIn total, 74% (n = 284) of neonates presented a hip type Ia/b. Treatment (abduction brace or Fettweis cast) was required in 32% (n = 122) of cases. The treatment duration was significantly correlated with age at first presentation (Pearson’s r = 0.678; p = 0.001). The treatment duration for patients aged > 200 days old at first presentation was twice as long as those aged 100 days at first presentation. Patients with public health insurance require referral by a consultant. Developmental dysplasia of the hip as referral diagnosis could not be confirmed in control examination in 64% (n = 132) of cases. Of the public health insured children, 97% (n = 200) were referred through a consultant paediatrician. ConclusionWe identified deficits in performing and interpreting the Graf method of ultrasound examination. A total of 64% of referred pathological hips turned out to be physiological configurations in our control examination. The future goal should be to increase anatomical knowledge of the newborn hip and ensure the correct use of Graf ultrasound method. Advanced training courses are recommended and necessary. Level of evidenceIV     

An ultrasound hip screening program--middle term results of flexion-abduction orthosis therapy

INTRODUCTION: Today the hip sonography is an established method to detect congenital hip maturation disturbances in the first days of life. Short-term follow-ups have showed that mature hip joints can be performed with an flexion-abduction bandage within a few months. METHODS: This prospective study reviews in a middle-term follow up 57 dysplastic hips at birth of 42 children after an average period of 7.8 years, who took part in an ultrasonic hip screening and were treated successfully with an abduction pant (33 hips type IIg, 16 hips type D, 8 hips type III according to Graf). RESULTS: There were only 3 cases (5%) who had slight limitations of motion clinically according to the classification of T?nnis. The radiographic control showed an average AC-angle of 11 degree, an average CE-angle of 28 degree and an average hip-score according to T?nnis of 8.5. Slight radiological deviations were found in 9% of the cases. Severe pathologic radiographic appearance or avascular necrosis of the femoral head were not observed. CONCLUSIONS: If DDH is detected in first day of life and immediately treated with abduction pants is physiological development of the hip probably.     

Ultrasound examination in the diagnosis of congenital hip dysplasia of newborns

Ultrasonic examination is an established technique for the diagnosis of congenital hip dysplasia. The procedure is outlined and results of screening examinations of 2,000 newborn hips according to the classification of Graf are presented. A differentiated diagnostic-therapeutic concept is available for each sonographic hip type. Social and economic advantages call for an ultrasonic screening examination of newborn hips worldwide.     

Natural history of ultrasound hip abnormalities in clinically normal newborns.

One hundred one clinically normal newborn hips showed varying degrees of sonographic hip dysplasia according to the classification of Graf. None were treated, and after +/- 6 months, radiographs showed that only four had definite dysplasia. Of these, three had had risk factors such as breech delivery or familial predisposition. Forty-three other clinically normal newborn hips showed ultrasonic instability, which spontaneously corrected. The severity of ultrasound dysplasia at birth was not related to ultimate development of the hip. Our results indicate that ultrasound should not be performed as a general screening procedure in clinically normal newborns.     

Ultrasound screening for hip dysplasia in neonates

In a pilot study, hip development in 615 newborn children was assessed sonographically. Distinct dysplasia was found in 2.3%, and an intermediate "physiologically immature" hip development was noted in 13%. The number of controls and expenses would greatly increase if all physiologically immature hips were followed until they reached maturity. To reduce the number of unnecessary control and to facilitate assessment, we propose the use of "cut-off values" in a screening program for newborns.     

Assessment of orthopedic and sonographic hip examinations in the first days after birth based on research conducted in neonatal units and outpatient clinics]

The authors evaluated conformity between clinical and sonographical examinations in diagnosis of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). The research was conducted on two groups of children: 750 newborn in neonatologic ward and 897 babies examined in outpatient clinic. The clinical signs of DDH was confirmed in 181 hips (12%) in the first group. The abnormality was sonographically detected only in 6 hips (0.4%). In the second group the orthopedic examination showed the signs of DDH in 101 hips (5.6%) and sonographic signs of DDH appeared in 54 hips (3%). It seems that clinical examinations of hip joints in newborn in the first days of life provides to many falsely positive diagnosis of DDH. Probably proper care spontaneously leads to normalization of the morphology of newborns' hip joint and eliminates the necessity of the treatment with the usage of abduction devices. Screening examination of newborn performed by neonatologist and the verification of such examinations conducted by the orthopedic surgeons in outpatient clinic seems to be the mean efficient enough in the prophylaxis of DDH.     

Pavlik 吊带早期治疗发育性髋关节脱位

 目的 探讨 Pavlik吊带治疗不同类型发育性髋脱位的临床效果,并分析复位失败的原因。方法 回顾性分析 2009年 1月至 2013年 3月,初始采用 Pavlik吊带治疗髋关节脱位的 163例（195髋）资料完整且随访超过 1年的患儿资料,男 18例（21髋）,女 145例（174髋）;年龄 18~129 d,平均（65.9±20.2）d;左侧 85例,右侧 46例,双侧 32例;超声 Graf分型：Ⅲ型 165髋,Ⅳ型 30髋。根据屈髋、外展时动态超声检查示能否复位及 Ortolani试验,将髋关节脱位分为可复性及难复性两类。吊带佩戴 3周后临床查体及超声检查仍示未复位或复位但不稳定者,视为吊带治疗失败。末次随访时摄骨盆正位 X线片,并在其上测量髋臼指数,根据 T?nnis标准判断残余髋臼发育不良,根据 Salter标准判断股骨头缺血性坏死。分析年龄、性别、单双侧、脱位分类（可复性/难复性）及超声 Graf分型与吊带复位效果的关系。结果 195髋中,144髋（73.8%,144/195）经吊带治疗复位成功;51 髋（26.2%,51/195）复位失败,其中 47 髋再次行皮牵引后复位石膏固定治疗,4 例 4 髋拒绝再治疗。163 例患儿均获得随访,随访时间 12~49 个月,平均 19 个月。末次随访时,10 髋（6.9%,10/144）残余髋臼发育不良,4 髋（2.8%,4/144）发生股骨头坏死。单因素分析结果显示,复位成功率与年龄、性别及侧别无明显相关性,与超声分型（Graf Ⅲ∶Ⅳ型,79.4%∶43.3%）及脱位分类（可复性∶难复性,79.1%∶34.8%）有关。多因素分析结果显示,脱位分类（OR=6.071,P=0.000）及超声 Graf 分型（OR=4.629,P＜0.001）是影响复位成功的独立相关因素。Graf Ⅳ型且不可复性脱位仅 12.5%（1/8 髋）复位成功。结论 Pavlik 吊带是早期治疗发育性髋关节脱位有效安全的方法之一,Pavlik 吊带适用于 GrafⅢ型可复性脱位,对 GrafⅢ型难复性及Ⅳ型可复性脱位吊带复位失败率高,可尝试作为初始治疗的手段;Graf Ⅳ型难复性脱位不宜作为首选治疗方法。     

Die Tübinger Hüftbeugeschiene als Repositionsorthese?

Background

The indication for the use of the Tübingen hip flexion splint is a dysplastic hip without instability. According to current knowledge dysplastic unstable or dislocated hips should be treated with a stable retention device such as a modified Fettweis cast. The aim of this study was to evaluate the treatment effect of the Tübingen hip flexion splint when applied to dysplastic unstable hips (type IIc unstable according to the classification of Graf) and dislocated hips (types D, III and IV according to the classification of Graf) within the first week of life.

Patients and methods

All newborns with an unstable hip type IIc or worse detected by ultrasound in the first week of life were treated with a Tübingen hip flexion splint. A prospective cohort trial was performed between November 2007 and December 2010. The initial hip type according to the ultrasound classification of Graf, the start and the duration of treatment with the Tübingen hip flexion splint as well as the rate of success were evaluated. Due to the small number of patients non-parametric tests were used for statistical analysis.

Results

A total of 50 dysplastic unstable or dislocated hips in 42 newborns were treated with the Tübingen hip flexion splint. The distribution of pathological hip types was 6 type IIc unstable, 33 type D, 10 type III and 1 type IV. Therapy was started on average on day 3.5 (range 1?C8?days) of life and 49 out of 50 hips were successfully treated with the Tübingen hip flexion splint. Solely the type IV hip could not be reduced in the Tübingen hip flexion splint. Thus 98% of the dysplastic unstable or dislocated hips were successfully converted into type I hips with an ??-angle of more than 64° in the splint. The mean time for achieving an ??-angle ??64° was 51.6?±?18.9?days (range 21?C87 days). No statistically significant relationship was found between the duration of therapy and the time when treatment was started, early or late within the first week of life (p?=?0.152). Furthermore, no correlation was detected between the duration of therapy and the initial hip type determined by ultrasound (p?=?0.886). In all successfully treated cases therapy could be discontinued during the exponential part of Tschauner??s maturation curve of hip development.

Conclusion

When recognized within the first week of life dysplastic unstable hips (type IIc unstable according to the classification of Graf) and dislocated hips with a cranially dislocated cartilage roof (types D and III according to the classification of Graf) can be successfully treated with the Tübingen hip flexion splint provided that the parents show good compliance concerning the treatment regimen.     

Ultrasonographic screening for developmental dysplasia of the hip in infants. Reproducibility of assessments made by radiographers

We studied the reproducibility of ultrasonographic screening examination of the hip when read by diagnostic radiographers. In order to determine interobserver variability, 200 ultrasonograms were classified according to Graf's method by five observers (four radiographers and one radiologist). The kappa values for interobserver variability indicated moderate agreement (kappa 0.47) for the exact Graf classification and substantial agreement (kappa 0.65) for the classification of normal (type I) versus abnormal (type IIa-IV). Agreement was significantly different for normal, immature and abnormal hips. Comparison of the findings in our interobserver study with existing information based on other examinations and treatment revealed that only a small number of infants with mildly dysplastic hips would have been typed as normal by some observers as a result of observer variability. In conclusion, the interobserver agreement on the ultrasound assessment of the hip was good enough for screening purposes. Observer variability did not result in any severe cases being missed.     

Clinical examination versus ultrasonography in detecting developmental dysplasia of the hip

Although hip ultrasonography is gaining acceptance as the most effective method for the early diagnosis of developmental dysplasia of the hip, there is still some controversy regarding the use of ultrasonography as a screening method. The purpose of this study was to investigate prospectively the capacity of clinical examination findings and associated risk factors to detect developmental dysplasia of the hip defined ultrasonographically in infants. A total of 3,541 infants underwent clinical examination and hip ultrasonography. Measured against ultrasonography as a standard, the sensitivity and specificity of clinical examination were 97% and 13.68%, respectively. Graf type IIb or more severe developmental dysplasia was found in 167 infants (208 hips), at an overall frequency of 4.71%. Graf type IIa physiological immaturity was encountered in 838 hips, and of these, 15 hips (1.78%) developed Graf type IIb dysplasia and underwent treatment. Patient characteristics that were found to be significant risk factors were swaddling use, female gender, breech delivery and positive family history. Given its low specificity, our findings suggest that clinical examination does not reliably detect ultrasonographically defined developmental dysplasia of the hip in infants being screened for this disease.     

Ultrasound for hip assessment in the newborn

The hips of 1000 newborn babies were examined clinically and by ultrasonography. The ultrasound assessment was based on measurements of the coverage of the femoral head by the bony acetabular roof, and this parameter was called the Bony Rim Percentage (BRP). The mean BRP was 55.3% in girls and 57.2% in boys, a significant difference. Clinical instability occurred in 0.7% of the newborn babies, and all of the unstable hips had a BRP below the lower limit of normal. All infants with normal clinical findings and suspected abnormal hips based on ultrasound were followed up; in all but two the hips became normal spontaneously. We conclude that ultrasonography, using the measurements of femoral head coverage, is appropriate for screening the newborn, is reliable in differentiating between a true and a false positive Ortolani sign, and that hip dysplasia which is not clinically demonstrable at birth can be detected by ultrasound. Ultrasound should replace radiography as the routine method of following up high-risk infants and those with suspicious signs.     

Ultrasound measurements of the newborn hip Comparison of two methods in 657 newborns

We compared ultrasound measurements using the Graf and Terjesen methods in 657 newborns. the alpha angle and femoral head coverage (FHC) were analyzed. the rate of DDH was 3.9%, according to Graf and 2.9%, according to Terjesen. the spontaneous increases in alpha angle and FHC were 5° and 7%, respectively, during the first 2 months. Good accordance between the two methods was shown. A few hips were normal, according to one method and were subluxated, according to the other one. the methods gave similar results, except the percentage of “immature hips” Ha (29%) and “possible dysplas-tic hips” (14%). This might be a sign of better specificity of the Terjesen method. Good interobserver agreement and simple classification favor use of the Terjesen method. the method of Graf is the most commonly used and gives adequate evaluation of the hip, if the method of examination and rather complicated classification are followed closely.     

Pitfalls of early diagnosis and treatment of congenital dislocation of the hip joint

Summary The efficiency of the routines for early diagnosis and treatment of congenital dislocation of the hip joint (CDH) practiced in the 1960s in the city of Göteborg were reviewed. Between 1961 and 1970 there were 65 875 live births in Göteborg. Eighty-five percent of the estimated number of cases of CDH were diagnosed during the first month of life. Of the children missed at the primary screening on the maternity wards, 75% (15/20) were premature babies and/or had been delivered during weekends. In all, 475 newborn children were judged to have unstable hips (dislocated or dislocatable hips), corresponding to an incidence of 7.2 per thousand live births. In 19 children, abduction treatment with braces commenced during the first 10 days of life failed to prevent dislocation. Eighteen of these children were treated primarily with a Frejka pillow and one with a von Rosen splint. A history of CDH among relatives was obtained in 47% of these 19 children including four of five children who had developed pathological hips after supplementary treatment with a hip spica cast and/or surgery. Radiological examination at the age of 1–4 months was helpful in revealing failure of early abduction treatment to prevent dislocation, which in most cases was difficult to detect by clinical examination at this early age.     

Unilateral limitation of abduction of the hip. A valuable clinical sign for DDH?

Between 1992 and 1997, we undertook a prospective, targeted clinical and ultrasonographic hip screening programme to assess the relationship between ultrasonographic abnormalities of the hip and clinical limitation of hip abduction. A total of 5.9% (2 of 34) of neonatal dislocatable hips and 87.5% (7 of 8) of 'late' dislocated hips seen after the age of six months, presented with unilateral limitation of hip abduction. All major (Graf type III) and 44.5% of minor (Graf type II) dysplastic hips presented with this sign. Statistically, bilateral limitation of hip abduction was not a useful clinical indicator of underlying hip abnormality because of its poor sensitivity, but unilateral limitation of abduction of the hip was a highly specific (90%) and reasonably sensitive sign (70%). It was more sensitive than the neonatal Ortolani manoeuvre, which has been considered to be the method of choice. It was, however, not sensitive enough to be of value as a routine screening test in developmental dysplasia of the hip. We consider unilateral limitation of hip abduction to be an important clinical sign and its presence in an infant over the age of three to four months makes further investigation essential.     

Treatment of borderline D/IIIa hip in newborn infants with the Graf-Mittelmeier abduction harness under close ultrasound control]

By retrospective analysis we investigated the treatment of "congenital" dysplasia of the hip (D/IIIa-type according to Graf) in newborn infants with the Graf-Mittelmeier-Aktivspreizhose (abduction harness). METHOD: Between 1990 and 1997 twenty of twenty-three newborn infants with the IIIa-type were treated with the abduction harness by short-term ultrasound monitoring. We started the therapy in the first days of life, if we could identify a IIIa-type with an alpha-angle close to type D and with only minor tendency to decentration. RESULTS: Eighteen infants (90%) treated by abduction harness developed "mature" hips. At the beginning the mean-value of the alpha-angle was 41 degrees. In the first weeks a rapid hip maturation was observed. The alpha-angles of the 25 and 75 percentiles crossed the 60 degrees at the control of twelve weeks. A modification of the treatment by cast application was necessary in one case only. CONCLUSIONS: The results show, that dysplastic hip joints of newborn infants show a rapid maturation under therapy. Initial treatment with an abduction harness can improve decentered D/IIIa-hips.     

The hip joints of preterm neonates in sonographic evaluation]

The introduction of sonography to the evalution of the hip joint, allowed for the non-invasive examination in preterm neonates and thus assessment of the development their hip joints. MATERIAL AND METHODS. The examined group consisted of 143 preterm neonates with the body weight by delivery lower then 2000 grams (286 hip joints) and the control group of 31 children from term delveries forming the control group. The sonographic examination was conducted stricktly according to the rules presented by Graf. First examination was performed averagely in the 3rd week of life, second avg. in the 14th, third in avg. the 23rd, fourth avg inthe 33r week of life. Wyniki. In the first examination, done in the 3rd week of life it was noticed that highest rate of the hips Ia appeared in the group I (newborns with the lowest bogy weight), and together with the increase in body weight the incidence of such hips decreased, when the incidence of type IIa hips increased at the same time. At the final examination no statistically significant differences were found between the hip joints and no dysplastic hips were found. Wnioski. According to our results, we found that preterm delivery is not a risk factor for the developmetal hip dysplasia.     

Pathogenetic relevance of the pregnancy hormone relaxin to inborn hip instability

The etiology of inborn hip dysplasia is unknown. In general, a multifactorial genesis is assumed. The influence of hormones on the development of the fetal hip joint and its stability is discussed as well as mechanical influences. This study was carried out with the intention to examine the correlation between the concentration of the pregnancy hormone relaxin and the stability of the hip joint in newborns. Both hips of 90 newborn children were examined clinically and sonographically. In 25 hips (13.9%), pathological sonograms according to the classification of Graf were found. The relaxin concentration was measured in cord blood using a heterologous radioimmunoassay. Statistical evaluation revealed an insignificant decrease of relaxin concentration with increasing sonographic hip instability. The results indicate that hip instability frequently occurs with decreasing relaxin concentration. These facts contradict the earlier assumption that hip instability coincides with increased relaxin concentrations in newborns. We assume that there is a worse preparation of the pelvis and the birth canal during pregnancy due to the lower relaxin concentration and thus that there could be a higher pressure on the fetus in the perinatal phase. A decreased relaxin concentration seems to have no direct effect on the hip joint tissue, but indirectly there is consequent rigidity of the tissue in mother and child, which     

Comparing ultrasound measurements of neonatal hips using the methods of Graf and Terjesen

In a prospective study, 232 neonates were examined sonographically using the methods of Graf and Terjesen. In order to determine the reproducibility of the methods, 50 hips were evaluated by two skilled examiners. In an inter-observer study, five physicians and five medical students evaluated 24 images, which were evaluated on ten occasions at two-weekly intervals by one of the authors. Statistical evaluation used the Bland-Altman approach.The neonates (110 females, 122 males) were less than four days old. The mean alpha angle was 62.4 degrees and mean femoral head cover was 55.4%. According to Graf's method, 1.3% of hips were pathological, compared with 4.1% according to Terjesen. Spearman's correlation coefficient between femoral head cover and alpha angles was 0.552. The Bland-Altman approach shows greater variation for femoral head cover than for alpha, if measured by experienced examiners. The Bland-Altman approach shows almost equal reproducibility for alpha and femoral head cover in the inter-observer test, but better repeatability for alpha in the intra-observer test.The Graf results relate better than Terjesen's to the well-known frequency of 1% to 2% hip dysplasia in the European population. Kappa statistics indicate a fair agreement between the two methods. Inter-observer evaluation shows an equal reproducibility of both methods, whereas intra-observer tests reveal better repeatability with Graf's method.