Imaging in Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis
- Author: Brent Adler, MD; Chief Editor: Felix S Chew, MD, MBA, EdM more...
Overview
Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is the most common hip abnormality presenting in adolescence and is a primary cause of early osteoarthritis. Unfortunately, SCFE frequently is misdiagnosed, and it has symptoms that can be misleading.[1] Early treatment leads to better outcome but is confounded by frequent delays in diagnosis. (See the image below.)[2]
Slipped capital femoral epiphysis. This child had undergone radiation treatment for a pelvic malignancy. On this anteroposterior hip image, the pathologic slippage is not subtle. Preferred examination
Diagnosis is made using anteroposterior (AP) pelvis and lateral frog-leg radiographs.[3]
Computed tomography (CT) scanning is a sensitive method of measuring the degree of tilt and detecting early disease, but it is rarely needed. CT may be performed with low doses, and reconstructions may allow viewing of the relationship of the femoral head to the metaphysis in three planes.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) depicts the slippage earliest, and MRI can demonstrate early marrow edema and slippage. MRI may be helpful in follow-up studies of the contralateral hip.[4]
Limitations of techniques
Radiographs are the easiest images to obtain and provide an excellent screening examination for hip pain in any patient. In patients with SCFE, advanced stages of the disease are easy to identify; however, subtle changes early in the course are more difficult to detect. Before the femoral epiphysis actually has become displaced, only a slight widening of the affected physis may be evident.
A metaphyseal blanch is an increase in density in the proximal metaphysis. It is presumed that metaphyseal blanch represents an attempt at healing that occurs before there is visible displacement of the epiphysis. MRI or CT may be able to detect SCFE in early cases.
For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicine's Foot, Ankle, Knee, and Hip Center and Sports Injury Center. Also, see eMedicine's patient education article Repetitive Motion Injuries.
Radiography
Diagnosis is made using AP pelvis and lateral frog-leg radiographs. Abduction of the femur for the frog-leg view may result in increased slippage and should be performed with caution. (See the images below.)
Slipped capital femoral epiphysis. This child had undergone radiation treatment for a pelvic malignancy. On this anteroposterior hip image, the pathologic slippage is not subtle. 
Slipped capital femoral epiphysis. A 13-year-old female adolescent with acute-onset right hip pain. She had presented to the emergency department 1 week prior with right knee pain. On this anteroposterior pelvic view, note the increased opacity of her right metaphysis and the subtle widening of the physis. 
Slipped capital femoral epiphysis. A 13-year-old female adolescent with acute-onset right hip pain had presented to the emergency department 1 week prior with right knee pain (detailed view, same patient as in the previous image). The patient has blanching of the metaphysis and only subtle widening of the physis. The epiphysis is yet to be displaced. 
Slipped capital femoral epiphysis. Image in a 14-year-old male adolescent who came to the emergency department with complaints of thigh and knee pain. A relatively subtle medial slip is pictured here. 
Slipped capital femoral epiphysis. Image of a 14-year-old male adolescent who came to the emergency department with complaints of thigh and knee pain (same patient as in the previous image). A more obvious posterior slip is noted on this frog-leg lateral view. On AP radiographs, close attention should be paid to the physis. Early in SCFE, the physis may widen. Increased opacity in the metaphysis, described as blanching, may occur as an early healing response, and the epiphysis may appear smaller because it is tilted dorsally.
The lateral radiograph demonstrates slippage earliest because the slippage begins with posterior displacement and progresses with medial rotation.
The Southwick method can be used by creating an axis for the femoral neck and determining whether the epiphysis is tilted. (See the image below.)
Slipped capital femoral epiphysis. Frog-leg pelvic image in a child with bilateral slipped capital femoral epiphysis. A line perpendicular to the epiphyseal axis and another along the axis of the femoral neck demonstrate the degree of tilt by using the Southwick method. An additional method is to draw a line along the lateral aspect of the femoral neck on the AP view; this line, known as the line of Klein, should intersect a portion of the femoral head.[5]
Degree of confidence in radiographic findings of SCFE is high. When the aforementioned constellation of findings is present, false-positive and false-negative findings do not occur.
Computed Tomography
Computed tomography (CT) scanning is a sensitive method for measuring the degree of tilt and detecting disease, but it is rarely needed. Usually, CT scanning is performed only at the request of the treating physician for documenting the severity of the tilt.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
The earliest way to detect SCFE is by using MRI. With MRI, early marrow edema and slippage can be demonstrated. This is demonstrated with increased signal on T2-weighted and water-sensitive images. MRI can be considered in patients for whom the clinical suspicion of SCFE is high and in whom the radiographs appear normal. MRI can be considered for follow-up imaging of the contralateral hip.
False positives/negatives
Marrow edema is a nonspecific finding, and while it can indicate early bone changes in SCFE, it has numerous other causes, such as infection or even tumor. Those diagnoses are rarely considered with the proper clinical evaluation.
Ultrasonography
Ultrasonographic findings are rarely specific, and the sensitivity of sonography is unknown. Hip effusions of blood often have been reported and are suggestive of fracture.
Nuclear Imaging
The radionuclide bone scan is sometimes used during workup but prior to diagnosis. Accumulation of the bone scanning agents can be decreased after fixation and in patients with an acute slip and significant displacement. The decrease is usually limited to the epiphysis. The decreased accumulation is associated with increased incidence of chondrolysis.
Ballas MT, Tytko J. Commonly Missed Orthopedic Problems page. American Academy of Family Physicians Web site. 1998. Available at: http://www.aafp.org/afp/980115ap/ballas.html. Accessed March 13, 2008. [Full Text].
Boles CA, el-Khoury GY. Slipped capital femoral epiphysis. Radiographics. Jul-Aug 1997;17(4):809-23. [Medline].
Keiser V, Berlin S, Myers M, et al. Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis. Pediatric Imaging Teaching Files. Available at: http://www.uhrad.com/pedsarc/peds049.htm. Accessed March 13, 2008. [Full Text].
Resnick D. Diagnosis of Bone and Joint Disorders. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co;1995.
Gekeler J. Radiology of adolescent slipped capital femoral epiphysis: measurement of epiphyseal angles and diagnosis. Oper Orthop Traumatol. Oct 2007;19(4):329-44. [Medline].
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