Hip ultrasound: a prospective comparison of conventional gray-scale technique with harmonic imaging

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to determine whether tissue harmonic imaging, used for the assessment of infant hip in terms of examination, contributes or not to conventional gray-scale ultrasonography. Methods: Nine anatomic regions were defined as standard views and assessed with the use of a scoring system (1: not seen, 2: seen uncertainly, 3: seen acceptably, 4: well seen, and 5: very well seen). Tissue Harmonic Imaging was compared with conventional grayscale ultrasonography. Results: When the overall average score was considered, tissue harmonic imaging was, in general, higher than conventional gray-scale ultrasonography in all anatomic regions. The highest score was obtained in promontorium and the lowest in cartilaginous acetabular rim. Tissue harmonic imaging was significantly better than the plain conventional gray-scale ultrasonography (P <. 001). Conclusion: In the sonographic examination of infants between four and six weeks, it was found that conventional tissue harmonic imaging can provide better reproducibility and demonstrability than conventional gray-scale ultrasonography.