Purpose or Case Report: While radiographs, and to a lesser extent MRI, remain the mainstay imaging techniques for the evaluation of pediatric musculoskeletal emergencies, ultrasound can be a useful modality for problem solving. The purpose of this educational exhibit is to provide several illustrative cases in which ultrasound was helpful in clinical/diagnostic problem-solving in order to emphasize the importance of ultrasound in these scenarios and to ultimately improve diagnostic accuracy and efficiency.

Methods & Materials: Illustrative cases demonstrating the utility of ultrasound in problem-solving pediatric musculoskeletal emergencies were chosen from those seen in clinical practice at a tertiary care academic medical center. Examples include the use of ultrasound to differentiate shoulder and elbow dislocation from epiphysiolysis, for the detection of radiographically occult fractures, for the detection of osteomyelitis/brodie’s abscess and subperiosteal abscess, for the evaluation of nursemaid’s elbow, for the detection of classic metaphyseal lesions, and for the detection of pelvic apophyseal avulsion injury.

Results: Review of these illustrative cases highlights the important role of ultrasound in the evaluation of pediatric musculoskeletal emergencies and can improve the accuracy and efficiency of diagnosis.

Conclusions: A pictorial review of illustrative cases in which ultrasound was instrumental in problem-solving pediatric musculoskeletal emergency cases can improve the accuracy of interpretation and efficiency of diagnostic work-up.