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VOL. 7, ISSUE 2 (2025)
Pediatric lower extremity trauma imaging: Building blocks for the developing radiologist
Authors
Shrinivas Radder, Nivedita Radder
Abstract
Pediatric lower extremity injuries are a
common clinical concern and represent a substantial portion of emergency
department visits and orthopedic referrals in children. These injuries differ
significantly from adult trauma due to the unique anatomical and physiological
characteristics of the growing skeleton, particularly the presence of open
growth plates, secondary ossification centers, and ongoing skeletal maturation.
Accurate and timely radiologic evaluation plays a critical role in identifying
the type, extent, and implications of lower extremity injuries in pediatric
patients. This is essential not only for guiding clinical management but also
for preventing long-term sequelae such as growth arrest, limb length
discrepancies, angular deformities, and joint dysfunction. Radiologists must
possess a comprehensive understanding of pediatric skeletal development,
age-specific injury patterns, and the implications of various trauma mechanisms
in different pediatric age groups. Furthermore, distinguishing normal
developmental variants from true pathology is a frequent challenge that
requires a high level of expertise. This article provides an extensive overview
of the radiologic assessment of pediatric lower extremity injuries,
encompassing common fractures and soft tissue injuries from the pelvis to the
foot. Detailed discussion is provided on critical entities such as slipped
capital femoral epiphysis, Salter-Harris physeal fractures, toddler’s
fractures, triplane and Tillaux fractures, and signs of non-accidental trauma.
The selection of appropriate imaging modalities ranging from conventional
radiography and ultrasound to MRI and CT is discussed in the context of
minimizing radiation exposure while optimizing diagnostic accuracy. In
addition, the article highlights red flags for child abuse, common pitfalls in
interpretation, and the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration in the
care of injured children. As pediatric imaging continues to evolve with
advances in technology and imaging protocols, radiologists must stay informed
and vigilant to ensure accurate diagnoses and optimal patient outcomes. This
review aims to serve as a practical guide and reference for radiologists
encountering pediatric lower extremity trauma in clinical practice.
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Pages:22-30
How to cite this article:
Shrinivas Radder, Nivedita Radder "Pediatric lower extremity trauma imaging: Building blocks for the developing radiologist". International Journal of Radiology Research, Vol 7, Issue 2, 2025, Pages 22-30
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