[Value of ultrasonic diagnosis in the evaluation of hip dislocation in neonates and infants. Apropos of 340 cases].

Ultrasound imaging of hip (UIH) was performed in 170 children (340 hips) with normal (193) and dysplasic (147) hips and findings compared with results of clinical and radiologic examinations. Ultrasound demonstrated 100% sensitivity in cases with abnormal clinical and radiologic finding, and 94% specificity for UIH when clinical and radiologic examinations were negative. Sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound screening (respectively 96 and 81%) were comparatively superior to those of radiography of the pelvis (83 and 78%) in relation to the clinical examinations. These findings predict further development of UIH for screening of congenital dislocation of the hips and for follow up surveillance of treated children.