BACKGROUND: In the infant, shoulder injury due to birth trauma and infection in joint and bone may be difficult to detect radiographically. Shoulder ultrasound provides a dynamic, noninvasive method of evaluation. OBJECTIVE: To develop a technique to evaluate the infant shoulder and to successfully demonstrate pathology. Materials and METHODS: Using a multiplanar, dynamic technique, 24 normal and 12 symptomatic infants (age range, 3 days to 9 months) were examined (49 shoulders). RESULTS: Sonographic findings were normal in 41 shoulders and abnormal in 8 shoulders. Abnormalities included subluxation, fracture, abnormal cartilage, soft-tissue mass, and inflammatory collections, including effusion. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound can be used successfully to evaluate the infant shoulder for instability, fracture, and infection.
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