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. 2022 Dec 16;30(6):e256112.
doi: 10.1590/1413-785220223006e256112. eCollection 2022.

RADIOGRAPHIC STUDY OF THE MEDIAL JOINT SPACE OF THE HIP IN LEGG-CALVÉ-PERTHES DISEASE

Rene Dujardin  1 , Diego Praxedes DE Miras  1 , Caio Falk Giannotti  1 , Roberto Bezerra Nicolau  1 , Eiffel Tsuyoshi Dobashi  1
Affiliations

RADIOGRAPHIC STUDY OF THE MEDIAL JOINT SPACE OF THE HIP IN LEGG-CALVÉ-PERTHES DISEASE

Rene Dujardin et al. Acta Ortop Bras. .

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Objective: To evaluate medial joint space in affected and normal contralateral hips in patients with Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCPD).

Methods: To compare joint space, femoral head extrusion (FHE), medial space coefficient (MSC) of the hip, and femoral head width (FHW) in affected and normal hips, using 127 radiographs of patients with unilateral LCPD and considering age groups under and over six years old as well as their disease stage.

Results: No statistically significant differences were observed regarding MSC between normal and affected hips regardless of disease staging. However, medial joint distance was significantly greater in affected hips than in normal hips. In the necrosis and fragmentation phase, distance from medial space in affected hips was significantly greater than in contralateral normal hips. Comparing only affected hips, MSC and FHW showed statistically significant differences and the group > 6 yo presented higher values. Among normal hips, the group < 6 yo presented a statistically significant difference considering the MSC and FHW.

Conclusions: No statistically significant difference was found between the medial joint space of affected and normal hips, except for early stages of the disease (necrosis and fragmentation). The isolated use of radiographic study is insufficient in LCPD and the lack of complementation with other exams, such as magnetic resonance, can delay diagnosis of and onset of treatment for the disease. Level of Evidence III, Study of Non Consecutive Patients; without Consistently Applied Reference "Gold" Standard.

Objetivo: Avaliar o espaço articular medial entre o quadril afetado e o contralateral normal em pacientes com doença de Legg-Calvé-Perthes (DLCP).

Métodos: Comparação do espaço articular, da extrusão da cabeça femoral (ECF), do coeficiente do espaço medial do quadril (CEM) e da largura da cabeça femoral (LCF) entre quadris afetados e normais a partir de 127 radiografias de pacientes com DLCP unilateral. Foram consideradas faixas etárias maiores e menores de 6 anos e o estágio evolutivo da doença.

Resultados: Na comparação dos lados normal e afetado, independentemente da fase da doença, não se observou diferença estatisticamente significativa quanto ao CEM. Contudo, a distância articular medial no quadril afetado foi significantemente maior que a do quadril normal. Na fase de necrose e fragmentação, a distância do espaço medial dos quadris afetados foi significativamente maior em comparação aos contralaterais. Entre os quadris afetados, o CEM e a LCF apresentaram diferenças estatisticamente significantes, sendo que o grupo com idade > 6 anos apresentou valores maiores. Nos quadris normais, observou-se diferença estatisticamente significante do CEM e da LCF no grupo com idade < 6 anos.

Conclusões: Não foi observada diferença estatisticamente significante quanto ao espaço articular medial entre quadril afetado e quadril normal, exceto nas fases iniciais da doença (necrose e fragmentação). O uso isolado do estudo radiográfico mostra-se insuficiente na DLCP, de forma que a falta de complementação com outros instrumentos, como a ressonância magnética, pode retardar o diagnóstico e, consequentemente, o início do tratamento. Nível de Evidência III, Estudo de Pacientes Não Consecutivos; sem Padrão de Referência “Ouro” Aplicado Uniformemente.

Keywords: Child; Classification; Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease; Radiography.

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Conflict of interest statement

All authors declare no potential conflict of interest related to this article.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Pelvis radiography showing the references used to estimate the measurements studied in the LCPD.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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