title: Sonography of patellar abnormalities in children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We describe our experience using sonography to evaluate the patella and patellofemoral joint in three children with congenital abnormalities of the extensor mechanism of the lower extremity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sonography can be used to evaluate the extensor mechanism and unossified patella in young children. Advantages of sonography over MR imaging are no need for sedation, speed of examination and ability to compare with the contralateral knee, low cost, and the sonographer's ability to dynamically evaluate the extensor mechanism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA.
authors.forename: T T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Shapiro
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schultz
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Crider
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Paley
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D009261:Nail-Patella Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010329:Patella / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography