Can decreased femoral head enhancement differentiate between septic hip arthritis and transient synovitis?

TL;DR

This study examines if MRI findings can help distinguish between two hip conditions in children, finding that decreased femoral head enhancement is not reliable for diagnosis.

Contribution

The study evaluates the diagnostic value of decreased femoral head enhancement on MRI for differentiating septic arthritis from transient synovitis in children.

Findings

Decreased femoral head enhancement was not significantly different between septic arthritis and transient synovitis cases.

Muscle edema showed high sensitivity but low specificity for diagnosing septic arthritis.

Clinical scores and inflammatory markers remain essential for accurate diagnosis.

Abstract

To determine whether decreased femoral head enhancement on MRI differentiates septic arthritis from transient synovitis.

This retrospective study included children < 10 years old with hip effusion on post-contrast MRI for suspected musculoskeletal infection. Two pediatric radiologists independently assessed femoral head enhancement. Kocher and modified Kocher scores were calculated from clinical and lab data. Differences between septic arthritis and transient synovitis were analyzed using Student’s t-tests and Fisher’s exact tests. Sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing septic arthritis were calculated for Kocher scores, their individual components, decreased femoral head enhancement, and muscle edema. Interobserver agreement was assessed.

Thirty-four children were included (20 transient synovitis, 14 septic arthritis). Kocher and modified Kocher scores were significantly higher in septic arthritis (p = 0.003, 0.008). Interobserver agreement for femoral head enhancement was substantial (kappa = 0.70). On consensus read, decreased femoral head enhancement was seen in 71.4% of septic arthritis and 50.0% of transient synovitis cases (p = 0.296). Bone marrow edema was present in two septic arthritis cases. Muscle edema had moderate to high sensitivity (71.4%, 92.9%) but moderate to low specificity (75.0%, 50.0%) for septic arthritis.

Decreased femoral head enhancement does not reliably distinguish septic arthritis from transient synovitis. Relying on this finding alone may lead to unnecessary interventions in children with transient synovitis. Muscle edema and bone marrow edema may support the diagnosis of septic arthritis. Clinical evaluation and inflammatory markers remain critical in guiding decisions for hip aspiration.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00256-025-05013-1.

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