Sonography of the Infant’s Hip: Principles, implementation and therapeutic consequences

This is the first English language edition of this book. The original German version is currently in its seventh edition. The book is aimed at radiologists and sonographers undertaking infantile hip ultrasound on a regular basis. It is also a useful guide for orthopaedic surgeons, physiotherapists and plaster technicians involved in the care of infants with dysplastic hips.

The book is well structured and presents a good overview of various imaging techniques in the diagnosis of hip dysplasia and dislocation and the advantages of hip ultrasound in the newborn.

Descriptions of ultrasound equipment settings and image documentation are fairly detailed and well explained. The chapters on hip anatomy and development including assessment of these by ultrasound is explained with pathological correlation where relevant.

The chapter on scanning technique is outstanding and features excellent line drawings that are easy to understand. These drawings correlate well with the provided ultrasound images.

The chapter on errors and pitfalls is also outstanding and well illustrated with colour images, drawings and ultrasound images. Text boxes providing scanning tips and cautionary advice are well positioned in this chapter making it easy for the reader to review and recapitulate. The ‘Graf type’ hips that are commonly mentioned in ultrasound reports are explained in detail in chapters seven and eight, which also provide easy to understand tables and line drawings.

Chapters on dynamic assessment of the hip and assessment of the dysplastic hip during and after treatment are fairly detailed but are well illustrated and easy to understand.

A minor criticism is the quality of a few ultrasound images, which have been obtained on older equipment. Replacing these with images from more modern/contemporary equipment would further enhance the value of this excellently written book.

The book also provides a checklist for the operator and a standardised reporting proforma that can be easily incorporated as a template in current PACS reporting workstations.

I would thoroughly recommend this book as a valuable reference resource to healthcare professionals performing hip ultrasound examinations and treating dysplastic hips on a regular basis.

As screening for dysplastic hips in the newborn is standard practice in the health service throughout the UK, a copy of this book either in its print format or PDF would certainly aid the healthcare professional involved in the assessment and treatment of infantile hip dysplasia.

To purchase this title at our discounted rate email: katherine@radmagazine.com.