Pediatric Septic Arthritis of Hip

Etiology: infection leading to pus in hip joint
Radiograph: widened hip joint space, not sensitive for hip effusion
US: hip effusion
DDX: transient synovitis, indistinguishable from septic hip on US

Radiology Cases of Septic Arthritis of Hip

Radiograph of a septic hip — AP radiograph of the pelvis shows symmetrical ossification of the femoral epiphyses and normal acetabulae bilaterally. The right femoral epiphysis was felt to be displaced laterally in comparison to the left. A hip ultrasound showed a right hip joint effusion, which when tapped under ultrasound guidance returned pus.

Radiograph and ultrasound of septic arthritis of the hip — AP radiograph of the pelvis was unremarkable. Sagittal US of the hips shows a large anechoic fluid collection in the anterior recess of the left femur, which is not present in the right hip. This left hip effusion, when tapped under ultrasound guidance, returned green pus.