[Prospects of using ultrasonic examination in Perthes disease].

The paper indicates benefits from ultrasound early diagnostics and management monitoring in Perthes disease. Fifty-two children with 56 hips (35 boys and 17 girls) aged 6-12 years treated because of aseptic of the femoral head to Orthopaedic Department Lódź were included in this study. Five MHz transducer was positioned anteriorly along the anterior margin of the femoral neck in external rotation of the limb, neutral and internal one as well as in perpendicular fashion to the long axis of the neck. These four images were compared with conventional a-p and Lauenstein radiographs. Ultrasound allowed for assessment of the synovial effusion, shape of the epiphysis, configuration of the physis and the shape of metaphysis. High correlation between ultrasound examination and radiography was found. Ultrasonography allowed for assigning a hip to one of Catterall's type. It has also served well for monitoring of the treatment and reduced the number of radiological exposures.