THE EFFECT OF ARTHROCENTESIS IN TRANSIENT SYNOVITIS OF THE HIP IN THECHILD - A LONGITUDINAL SONOGRAPHIC STUDY

Twenty-one children with transient synovitis of the hip were treated i n two consecutive groups. In 12 patients aspiration of the synovial ef fusion was performed within 24 h of admission. In a second group of ni ne patients no aspiration was performed. There was no other difference in treatment. Joint effusion was studied sonographically in compariso n with the nonsymptomatic contralateral hip. Sonography was performed immediately after admission, within 12 h after aspiration, and repeate dly during a follow-up period of up to 15 days. Following aspiration t he capsular distention decreased to 49% but recurred within 24 h to 72 % of the preoperative value. However, during the first 4 days of follo w-up the capsular distention in the aspirated cases was significantly and permanently lower than in the nonaspirated cases. We conelude that arthrocentesis in the acute stage of transient synovitis of the hip i n the child permanently reduces the intracapsular effusion.