ABSTRACT
Background: Bone marrow edema syndrome (BMES) is a rare clinical condition. Its etiology is unknown and it can be seen in different locations. In the case of the hip, avascular necrosis is the main differential diagnosis. Aim: To present our experience of BMES of the hip and a review of the literature. Patients and methods: Retrospective analysis of clinical records of patients with hip pain that met clinical, radiological, and magnetic resonance imaging criteria for BMES. Clinical outcome and clinical and radiological follow up are presented. Results: Two men and two women (one of them pregnant) aged 42, 48, 36 and 26 years old, fulfilled criteria. Treatment included limited weight bearing, non steroidal antiinflammatory drugs, intranasal calcitonin and physical therapy. Complete remission of symptoms was observed within five to seven months. At an average follow up of 36 months, all patients presented complete function of the hip, returning to their previous activity levels, with no new episodes of BMES. Conclusions: It is important to be aware of this condition as part of the differential diagnosis of hip pain to avoid aggressive and unnecessary diagnostic and therapeutic procedures (Rev Méd Chile 2004; 132: 947-54).