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Published in: Pediatric Rheumatology 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Research article

Grey-scale ultrasound findings of lower extremity entheses in healthy children

Authors: Clara Lin, Mohammad Diab, Diana Milojevic

Published in: Pediatric Rheumatology | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Background

To describe grey-scale sonographic findings in lower extremity entheses in healthy children.

Methods

Healthy patients referred to Orthopedic Surgery or Adolescent Medicine outpatient clinics or their siblings ages 5-18 years were recruited. Grey-scale ultrasound was performed on 3 entheseal sites bilaterally, the proximal patellar ligament insertion (PPL), distal patellar ligament insertion (DPL), and Achilles tendon insertion (AT). Entheseal thickness and quality were recorded. Comparison of thickness between contralateral sites was evaluated to determine within subject site variability.

Results

702 entheses were examined in 117 children. Age had a weak positive correlation with thickness with large variability. Weight had the strongest correlation to thickness. Contralateral sites are comparable in thickness; a difference of 28%, 26%, and 18% between bilateral PPL, DPL, and AT, respectively, falls within the 95th percentile of the healthy pediatric population in this study. The patellar ligament contour evolved with age from a curved to linear contour.

Conclusions

Weight is the best predictor of entheseal thickness in children although there is a large degree of variability. Contralateral entheses are comparable in thickness. A difference below 28%, 26%, and 18% between bilateral PPL, DPL, and AT, respectively, falls within the 95th percentile.
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Metadata
Title
Grey-scale ultrasound findings of lower extremity entheses in healthy children
Authors
Clara Lin
Mohammad Diab
Diana Milojevic
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Pediatric Rheumatology / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1546-0096
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12969-015-0012-1

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Reviewer acknowledgement

Reviewer acknowledgement 2014