Role of high resolution ultrasonography in diagnosing septic hip arthritis in premature neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit

Diagnostic use of superb microvascular imaging in evaluating septic arthritis of the manubriosternal joint: A case report

BACKGROUND

Septic arthritis of the manubriosternal joint is a diagnostic challenge due to its rarity and anatomical characteristic. Conventional ultrasound, plain radiographs, and computed tomography are not able to confirm or even suspect arthritis early. Superb microvascular imaging is a new advanced Doppler technique in evaluating low-flow microvascular patterns. The higher sensitivity for increased peri-synovial vascularity helps to suspect septic arthritis and forms a methodical approach to using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

CASE SUMMARY

A 34-year-old immunocompetent woman presented with a fever and a dull ache in the chest radiating to the right arm. Traumatic injury and the most common respiratory and cardiac disorders were ruled out. Blood cultures came back positive for Staphylococcus aureus, and sepsis was confirmed. A small lump was noted on the chest during the first week of hospitalization. Superb microvascular imaging was performed and septic arthritis of the manubriosternal joint was detected. MRI confirmed the diagnosis and showed septic arthritis of the manubriosternal joint with several localized abscesses behind the sternum. The patient was treated for three weeks with intravenous antibiotics and the outcome was favorable: Inflammatory markers became normal, and the lump disappeared. Three months later, the patient was examined for a new episode of mild pain in the sternum and was diagnosed with persistent perichondritis by ultrasound in comparison with MRI.

CONCLUSION

Superb microvascular imaging is a useful tool for the early diagnosis of septic arthritis of the manubriosternal joint and following-up.

Advances in Musculoskeletal Imaging in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Over the past decade, imaging of inflammatory arthritis in juvenile arthropathies has significantly advanced due to technological improvements in the imaging modalities and elaboration of imaging recommendations and protocols through systematic international collaboration. This review presents the latest developments in ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the peripheral and axial joints in juvenile idiopathic arthritis. In the field of US, the ultra-wideband and ultra-high-frequency transducers provide outstanding spatial resolution. The more sensitive Doppler options further improve the assessment and quantification of the vascularization of inflamed tissues, and shear wave elastography enables the diagnosis of tissue stiffness. Concerning MRI, substantial progress has been achieved due to technological improvements in combination with the development of semiquantitative scoring systems for the assessment of inflammation and the introduction of new definitions addressing the pediatric population. New solutions, such as superb microflow imaging, shear wave elastography, volume-interpolated breath-hold examination, and MRI-based synthetic computed tomography open new diagnostic possibilities and, at the same time, pose new challenges in terms of clinical applications and the interpretation of findings.

The EFSUMB Guidelines and Recommendations for Musculoskeletal Ultrasound - Part II: Joint Pathologies, Pediatric Applications, and Guided Procedures

The second part of the Guidelines and Recommendations for Musculoskeletal Ultrasound (MSUS), produced under the auspices of EFSUMB, following the same methodology as for Part 1, provides information and recommendations on the use of this imaging modality for joint pathology, pediatric applications, and musculoskeletal ultrasound-guided procedures. Clinical application, practical points, limitations, and artifacts are described and discussed for every joint or procedure. The document is intended to guide clinical users in their daily practice.