RESEARCHERS have, for the first time, used 3D ultrasound scanning techniques to screen for hip problems in children with cerebral palsy.

Researchers led by Dr Adam Shortland, funded by children’s charity Action Medical Research, have trialled the technique in a study involving 25 children aged two to 15 years old at Guy’s Hospital, London.

Progress and implications of the study published in Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology suggest that this new approach offers a safe, practical and more effective way to screen children with cerebral palsy for painful, debilitating hip problems.

Around 35 to 40 per cent of children with cerebral palsy have hip problems which can be very painful and can even lead to hip dislocation. This can make it hard for children to stand, walk or even sit comfortably. It can cause other problems, too, such as fractures and skin ulcers. Early and accurate prediction of hip problems, which allows prompt treatment, is therefore vital.

Currently, X-ray scans are routinely used to screen for hip problems in children with cerebral palsy, usually annually, as part of a hip surveillance programme.

Dr Shortland says: “X-ray scanning is the most commonly used imaging method in medicine. However, these scans expose children to radiation, so they cannot be carried out frequently, and they only produce 2D images. In addition, the hip joint is complex and three dimensional, and X-ray scans may not fully reveal all the issues.”

Ultrasound scans use high-frequency sound waves to create images. As a result, they do not expose children to radiation and provide more detailed 3D images.

“This technique is really easy to use,” Dr Shortland says. “You can take as many pictures as you like, with the hip in different positions, and it is a far less difficult experience for children, and their parents, to cope with.”

3D ultrasound scanning allows for more frequent assessments, helping to manage children’s hip health more effectively and identifying children at risk of developing more serious problems. This is important because, in children with cerebral palsy, the hip may ‘migrate’ out of the socket, in some cases leading to painful dislocation.

This new approach also offers practical benefits: “Our work suggests that ultrasonographers or outpatient clinicians will be able to carry out these scans after just three or four hours of training,” says Dr Shortland.

Describing the potential impact of the study, Dr Shortland says: “This is a first step in developing a safe new technique that can be used regularly to track hip health more closely in children with cerebral palsy. Of course, further research will be required, but we’re excited about our findings which we feel offer real clinical potential.”

Dr Shortland recently took part in the Vitality London 10,000 race to support and raise money for Action: “I am delighted to have taken part in the Vitality 10k to raise money for Action to help fund vital research to help defeat the diseases that devastate the lives of sick and disabled babies, children and young people. Action has been supportive in helping fund this research and continues to do amazing work for families affected by cerebral palsy, who live with uncertainty about their child’s future,” says Dr Shortland, who completed the race in an impressive 54mins and raised nearly £300.

Owen was one of the 25 children to participate in Dr Shortland’s research at Guy’s Hospital. His parents started noticing developmental delays and some unusual posturing when he was a baby. Then, at 10 months old, Owen was diagnosed with periventricular leukomalacia – a type of brain damage that causes the death of white matter surrounding the brain. As a result of this brain damage, Owen has cerebral palsy. Now nine years old, Owen uses a wheelchair most of the time; he attends mainstream school and wants to be a Paralympian one day.

Owen’s mum Kirsty reflects on the challenges the family have faced since his diagnosis: “The constant hospital visits, X-rays, MRI’s, blood tests and CT scans for concussions (as a result of falls), have left him with an incredibly high level of medical anxiety. Owen hates having X-rays done – it fills him with dread.”

The family agreed to participate in Dr Shortland’s research using 3D ultrasound scanning. They wanted a chance to help the doctors that had spent so many years helping Owen and to help other children like him to go through less upsetting procedures. 

“Dr Shortland took the time to explain to him exactly what he saw on the screen and to talk him through the whole procedure. The huge benefit was that we could be with Owen the whole time, reassure if needed, and experience it with him. The idea that X-rays could be replaced by a simple ultrasound in a comfortable and quiet environment while Owen can ask questions and learn more about his body is absolutely thrilling. He’s really pleased that he got to play a small part in helping this to happen.”