A pilot study to assess justification of radiographic evaluation for developmental dysplasia of the hip.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate justification of radiography in patients referred for the evaluation of Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). Study Deign: Retrospective Cross Sectional study. Setting: Department of Radiology, Northwest School of Medicine, Peshawar. Period: Jan 2020 till Dec 2021. Material & Methods: Patient database was searched for paediatric patients (<18 years old) who underwent plain radiography for the purpose of diagnosis of DDH over a period of 2 years. The basic demographics including age of the patient at the time of the investigation were abstracted and analysed. X-rays performed on a patient younger than 6 months were deemed as ‘Not Justified’. Results: The frequency of positive cases was 12.5%. Radiography was deemed not justified in 5.4% of the cases. Conclusion: There is need to create further awareness among referring physicians regarding modalities employed in assessment of DDH in order to avoid unjustified radiation exposure.