ABSTRACT
This study was conducted to evaluate the diagnostic utility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the patients having problems confined to cross-legged posture. The study subjects were 128 cases (male 87.5%) and 120 patients from October 2008 to June 2013. Average age of male patients was 50 years old (range, 21-72 years old), and female 45 years old (range, 18-76 years old). The rate of positive MRI findings was compared according to abnormal physical findings. The average duration of symptoms was 11.7 months. The most frequent complains was on the back (41.9% at rest, 57% when taking the posture). Patrick test was positive for 33.6% of cases, simple radiography was abnormal only for 20% of cases. Bone scan was normal for all 98 cases. Only 21.9% of 128 cases showed abnormal MRI findings which were managed with conservative treatment. Limitation in the range of hip joint motion was not statistically associated with abnormal findings of MRI (p=0.148). Normal Patrick test was associated with normal MRI finding (p=0.001). Among normal cases on both physical and simple bone X-ray film, 88.6% were normal at MRI. In conclusion, for patients with physical complaints from the cross-legged posture, diagnostic utility of MRI is relatively low when they show normal on both physical examination and simple radiography.