Musculoskeletal imaging in pediatric emergencies: the basics through three clinical scenarios

Radiologia. 2016 May:58 Suppl 2:104-18. doi: 10.1016/j.rx.2016.03.003. Epub 2016 Apr 27.
[Article in English, Spanish]

Abstract

A high percentage of the pediatric imaging studies requested during calls are related to musculoskeletal disease. Since bones and joints in children are immature, constantly growing and remodeling, they have physiological and anatomical peculiarities that make it necessary to use an approach specific for pediatric patients. In this article, we use three clinical scenarios (limping, fractures, and musculoskeletal infections) to summarize and transmit the concepts that are essential in emergency musculoskeletal imaging in children.

Keywords: Cojera; Emergencies; Fever; Fiebre; Fracturas; Fractures; Limping; Musculoskeletal disease; Patología musculoesquelética; Pediatrics; Pediatría; Urgencias.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Arthralgia / diagnostic imaging
  • Arthritis / diagnostic imaging
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Emergencies
  • Female
  • Fractures, Bone / diagnostic imaging
  • Hip Joint / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Musculoskeletal Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Osteomyelitis / diagnostic imaging
  • Radiography
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Ultrasonography