American Journal of Roentgenology, Vol 170, 465-466, Copyright © 1998 by American Roentgen Ray Society
Arterial waveforms in the femoral heads of healthy neonates
DS Schwartz, MS Keller, JM Fields, LJ States and JS Marsh
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8042, USA.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to characterize the Doppler
waveform in the cartilaginous capital femoral epiphysis of healthy neonates
with the aid of power Doppler and duplex Doppler imaging. SUBJECTS AND
METHODS: In this prospective study, both hips were examined in 63 neonates.
We used conventional sonographic imaging and power Doppler imaging.
Spectral Doppler tracings were obtained when possible. Spectral analysis
and resistive index measurements were performed. RESULTS: The examination
was completed in 97 hips, revealing pulsatile arterial blood flow with a
low-velocity, low-resistance, reproducible waveform. Mean resistive index
was 0.48 +/- 0.11. Additional time spent on the Doppler study was
documented in all patients and averaged 6 min. CONCLUSION: The arterial
blood flow pattern in the femoral chondroepiphysis of healthy neonates has
been described. The additional time spent doing the Doppler examination is
acceptable. In future studies, this pattern of blood flow can be compared
with that of abnormal hips and those undergoing treatment for developmental
dysplasia.