Role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in evaluation of adult non-traumatic painful hi

Abstract

Magnetic resonance is the best imaging modality to assess hip joint in non-traumatic cases. It has a great ability to diagnose disorders of bone, cartilage, ligaments, muscles and soft tissue. MRI can also detect joint effusion and bone marrow edema. In this study we found that avascular necrosis is the commonest cause of bilateral hip pain followed by osteoarthritis, while unilateral hip pain is commonly caused by stress fractures, isolated joint effusion and tendinopathies. Other causes included Marrow edema with hip effusion, chronic anemic state, migratory osteoporosis, osteoid osteoma, bursitis, bone infarcts, osseous hemangioma, hemosiderosis, sacroiliitis, femoral-acetabular impingement, iliacus abscess and bone marrow edema. Magnetic resonance imaging doesn’t only demonstrate disorders of hip joint only; it also gives an accurate assessment of other extra-articular causes of referred hip pain as degenerative disc diseases and pelvic conditions. Finally our study recommends MR as an accurate non-invasive diagnostic imaging modality in cases of non-traumatic painful hip joint.