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Imaging SCFE: diagnosis, treatment and complications

  • Pediatric Musculoskeletal Imaging: Beyond the Basics
  • Published:
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Abstract

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is a common orthopedic disorder in children. It can lead to avascular necrosis, cartilage loss, femoroacetabular impingent (FAI) and early osteoarthritis. The consequences of SCFE are worsened by delays in diagnosis and proper management. Radiography is the primary imaging modality used to evaluate SCFE; however, MR, CT and bone scintigraphy have important roles. Preoperatively, these modalities assist in surgical planning and predicting prognosis; postoperatively, they provide assessment of hardware failure, ischemic necrosis and morphology predisposing to FAI. Emphasizing a multimodality approach, this review addresses the imaging diagnosis of SCFE, the expected postoperative appearances and the findings of immediate and long-term complications.

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The authors have no financial interests, investigational or off-label uses to disclose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Delma Y. Jarrett & Paul K. Kleinman

  2. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Travis Matheney

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  1. Delma Y. Jarrett
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  3. Paul K. Kleinman
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Correspondence to Delma Y. Jarrett.

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Jarrett, D.Y., Matheney, T. & Kleinman, P.K. Imaging SCFE: diagnosis, treatment and complications. Pediatr Radiol 43 (Suppl 1), 71–82 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-012-2577-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-012-2577-x

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