Table 2.

Imaging methods for the diagnosis of hip pain in children.

X-ray	Initial method for evaluation of bone diseases
Ultrasound	Complementary to X-ray for better assessment of soft tissues and detection of joint effusion; useful for guiding punctures
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)	Evaluation of complications, prolonged complaints, and extent of disease; better joint detailing; and evaluation of the physeal cartilage, subchondral bone, periosteum, synovia, and bone marrow
Computed tomography (CT)	When there is suspicion of osteoid osteoma and for evaluation of the bone contours
Bone scintigraphy	When there is suspicion of osteomyelitis and the primary site is unknown; for the assessment of multifocal disease; and for detection of osseous lesions caused by stress/failure