Comparison of Default and Modified Power Doppler Ultrasound Settings for Evaluating Femoral Head Vascularity in Infants with Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip DDH

Introduction: Power Doppler PD ultrasound is a valuable tool for assessing blood flow in the femoral head, particularly in infants with developmental dysplasia of the hip DDH. By optimizing PD settings, we can enhance the visualization of blood vessels, leading to more accurate DDH evaluations. Our aim was to evaluate the diagnostic effectiveness of default versus modified PD settings in assessing femoral head vascularity in infants with DDH. Methods: A total of 45 infants, aged between 6 and 17 weeks, were evaluated using PD ultrasound. Both the default and modified settings were applied, with adjustments made to the wall filter WF, pulse repetition frequency PRF, frame rate FR, and threshold. The effects of these adjustments on the visualization of vascularity were analyzed. Results: The study showed that optimizing PD settings greatly improved the visualization of vascularity in the femoral head. Adjustments to WF, PRF, FR, and thresholds enhanced the differentiation of blood vessels and the detection of Doppler signals. These modifications were essential for accurately assessing the hemodynamic characteristics of the femoral head in neonates with DDH. Conclusion: Our findings highlighted the importance of customized imaging protocols for reliable evaluation of DDH. These optimized settings may assist in detecting early signs of local ischemia in the femoral head, which could contribute to the early diagnosis and management of DDH in infants.