Infant shoulder sonography: technique, anatomy, and pathology.
BACKGROUND
In the infant, shoulder injury due to birth trauma and infection in joint and bone may be difficult to detect radiographically. Shoulder ultrasound provides a dynamic, noninvasive method of evaluation.


OBJECTIVE
To develop a technique to evaluate the infant shoulder and to successfully demonstrate pathology.


METHODS
Using a multiplanar, dynamic technique, 24 normal and 12 symptomatic infants (age range, 3 days to 9 months) were examined (49 shoulders).


RESULTS
Sonographic findings were normal in 41 shoulders and abnormal in 8 shoulders. Abnormalities included subluxation, fracture, abnormal cartilage, soft-tissue mass, and inflammatory collections, including effusion.


CONCLUSIONS
Ultrasound can be used successfully to evaluate the infant shoulder for instability, fracture, and infection.
Grissom
L E
LE
Department of Medical Imaging, Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, P. O. Box 269, Wilmington, DE 19899, USA. lgrissom@nemours.org
Harcke
H T
HT
D001720:Birth Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D020516:Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007239:Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012016:Reference Values; D012782:Shoulder / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000070599:Shoulder Injuries; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography