Ultrasonographic diagnosis of pediatric post traumatic myositis ossificans

Objective To investigate the characteristics and diagnostic value of ultrasonography in the early and mature stages of pediatric post traumatic myositis ossificans (PTMO) in children. Methods Ultrasonography findings of seven cases of PTMO children, examined by high frequency color Doppler ultrasound in Shenzhen Children's Hospital between January 2014 and May 2016, were analyzed. Results Five cases of PTMO underwent surgical resection and were diagnosed by pathology, and two cases were diagnosed by MRI and CT, respectively. In the 5 cases diagnosed by pathology, 3 cases were mature stage and 2 cases were early stage. In ultrasound, early stage PTMO (two cases) were showed as hypoechogenicity in the muscle layer with a clear margin and internal slender bar-like hyperechogenicity, without obvious calcification. Energy Doppler showed branch flow signal. In ultrasound, five cases of mature stage PTMO were showed as hypoechogenicity with internal strip calcification and sound shadow. Color Doppler flow imaging showed sparse blood flow signal. Conclusion Ultrasound can be used as the preferred imaging examination method of PTMO in children, which can provide reliable information for clinical diagnosis and treatment of PTMO. Key words: Ultrasonography; Children; Myositis ossificans