title: Reliability of ultrasonographic measurements in suspected patients of developmental dysplasia of the hip and correlation with the acetabular index.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ultrasonography is accepted as a useful imaging modality in the early detection of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). Early detection and early treatment of DDH prevents hip dislocation and related physical, social, economic, and psychological problems. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of ultrasonographic and roentgenographic measurements measured by seven different observers.
  
  
  METHODS
  The alpha angles of 66 hips in 33 patients were measured using the Graf method by seven different observers. Acetabular index degrees on plane roentgenograms were measured in order to assess the correlation between the ultrasonographic alpha angle and the radiographic acetabular index, which both show the bony acetabular depth, retrospectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The interclass correlation coefficient, measuring the interobserver reliability, was high and statistically significant for the ultrasonographic measurements. There was a negative correlation between the alpha angle and the acetabular index.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ultrasonography, when applied properly, is a reliable technique between different observers, in the diagnosis and follow up of DDH. When assessed concomitantly with the roentgenographic measurements, the results are reliable and statistically meaningful.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cem
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Copuroglu
authors.forename: Mert
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ozcan
authors.forename: Bilal
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Aykac
authors.forename: Beyti
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tuncer
authors.forename: Kenan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Saridogan