Assessing the role of ultrasonography findings in conjunction with Kocher's criteria for enhancing the diagnosis of septic arthritis in children

Introduction: Septic arthritis (SA) requires early and appropriate diagnosis to prevent joint destruction and other systemic effects. Kocher's criteria provide a commonly used diagnostic tool; however, its sensitivity can be enhanced with imaging modalities such as ultrasonography (USG).
Objectives: To assess the diagnostic importance of integrating USG findings with Kocher’s criteria in suspected SA cases.
Method: A retrospective study was conducted in 28 patients suspected of SA under 12 years of age. Demographic data, patient history, Kocher’s criteria, and USG findings were retrieved from electronic records for years 2018 to 2022. Results are represented as frequency and percentage. Chi-square test was done to determine significance of relationship between Kocher’s criteria and USG findings.  
Results: SA was seen in 17 (60.7%) boys and 11 (39.3%) girls. Joint effusion was the most common finding but was not significantly associated with Kocher’s criteria (p=0.12).
Conclusions: The integration of USG findings with Kocher’s criteria notably improved the diagnostic accuracy of SA in children.