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.

MATERIALS AND 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.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasound can be used successfully to evaluate the infant shoulder for instability, fracture, and infection.