Purpose
The aim of our study is to assess the feasibility,
the degree of success,
the procedural time,
the costs and the complications of ultrasound-guided (US) arthrocentesis in patients with suspected septic arthritis of the hip.
Methods and Materials
For this retrospective study,
between January 2013 and November 2015,
in our institution 46 patients with tenderness of the hip and a clinical suspicion of hip septic arthritis were examined.
Patients underwent also to ultrasound evaluation of the contralateral joint.
After this,
patients underwent US-guided arthrocentesis of the affected hip with anterior approach.
The procedures were performed in a non-sterile environment without anaesthesia.
We used gauzes,
drapes,
syringes and spinal needles sterile and disposable.
We sent the material collected after each session of joint aspiration...
Results
Two of forty-six patients have not been subjected to US-guided aspiration for absence of joint fluid or joint collections to ultrasound evaluation.
Two more patients have not been subjected to US-guided arthrocentesis but they underwent needle biopsy for evidence of hypertrophic articular synovial tissue and solid ultrasound findings.
In the remaining 42 patients US-guided joint aspiration was performed successfully using only the anterior approach.
We performed successfully 91% of US-guided hip aspiration required from orthopaedic and included in to sample.
The results of microbiology were...
Conclusion
US-guidance in patients with suspected septic arthritis is a helpful technique to guide the aspiration of the painful swollen hip with anterior approach.
This procedure is easily repeatable,
free from complications and at low costs.