title: Diagnostic yield of sonography in infants with suspected hip dysplasia: diagnostic thinking efficiency and therapeutic efficiency.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of sonographic information on surgeons' diagnostic thinking and decision making in the management of infants with a possible diagnosis of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH).
  
  
  METHODS
  Five experienced orthopedic surgeons examined 66 hips of infants who were referred for a possible diagnosis of DDH and reported for each hip a confidence level about the diagnosis of DDH using a visual analog scale (VAS) before and after hip sonography was obtained. In addition, they reported a management plan. We determined the efficiency in diagnostic thinking by calculating the mean gain in diagnostic confidence as the percentage change in VAS scores and the impact of sonography on the management plan (therapeutic efficiency).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sonography led to a change in diagnosis in 52% (34/66) of hips. The management plan changed in 32% (21/66) of hips. The mean gain in reported diagnostic confidence was 19.4% (95% CI, 17.3-21.5%), but it was 46.0% (95% CI, 30.5-60.8%) in cases where the management changed as a result of sonography (difference, 37.7%; p < 0.0001). The greatest yield of sonography was found in hips showing limited abduction. Sonography obviated further follow-up in 23% (15/66) of cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sonography refined the diagnostic thinking of clinicians and led to a change in diagnosis in 52% of cases. Management plans changed in 32% of cases.
authors.affiliation: 1 Both authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, UCL Institute of Child Health and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, Great Ormond St, London WC1N 3JH, UK.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ashby
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Roposch
mesh_terms: D019091:Critical Pathways; D005260:Female; D006617:Hip Dislocation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011379:Prognosis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*
keywords: diagnostic yield; hip; infant; ultrasound