Role of MRI in Screening of Non-Traumatic Pediatrics Hip Pain

Abstract

Background: 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. Aim of the Work: To assess the value of MRI as the imaging modality in children presenting with acute non-traumatic hip pain and its ability to assess the cause of the pain early without the use of another imaging modality. Patients and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on pediatric patients with non-traumatic hip pain, referred from the outpatient pediatric clinic, orthopedic clinic, Ain Shams University hospitals. The patients were investigated using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for detection the cause of non-traumatic hip pain. Results: In this study we found that avascular necrosis is the commonest cause of non-traumatic hip pain followed by isolated hip effusion then synovitis. Other causes included perthes, septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, aneurysmal bone cyst, SCFE, PFFD and Osteomalacia. 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. Conclusion: Hip MRI is a practical, well accepted and accurate non-invasive imaging technique in children presenting with acute non-traumatic hip pain.