Bedside hip ultrasonography in the pediatric emergency department: a tool to guide management in patients presenting with limp

Pediatr Emerg Care. 2014 Apr;30(4):285-7. doi: 10.1097/PEC.0000000000000113.

Abstract

We present a case of a 3-year-old girl brought to the emergency department for evaluation of limp after falling off the monkey bars 1 day prior. X-rays of the entire left lower extremity were normal with no evidence of fracture, dislocation, or effusion. Point-of-care ultrasound of the left hip demonstrated a hip effusion, which prompted further imaging, ultimately revealing an occult fracture of the left proximal femoral metaphysis. This case demonstrates the ability of point-of-care ultrasound to guide the management of patients presenting to the pediatric emergency department with musculoskeletal complaints.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Child, Preschool
  • Emergency Service, Hospital
  • Female
  • Femoral Fractures / diagnostic imaging*
  • Fractures, Closed / diagnostic imaging*
  • Hip Joint / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans
  • Movement Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Point-of-Care Systems
  • Ultrasonography