Imaging SCFE: diagnosis, treatment and complications

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is a common orthopedic disorder in children. It can lead to avascular necrosis, cartilage loss, femoroacetabular impingent (FAI) and early osteoarthritis. The consequences of SCFE are worsened by delays in diagnosis and proper management. Radiography is the primary imaging modality used to evaluate SCFE; however, MR, CT and bone scintigraphy have important roles. Preoperatively, these modalities assist in surgical planning and predicting prognosis; postoperatively, they provide assessment of hardware failure, ischemic necrosis and morphology predisposing to FAI. Emphasizing a multimodality approach, this review addresses the imaging diagnosis of SCFE, the expected postoperative appearances and the findings of immediate and long-term complications.