Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Evaluation of Hip Pain

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Hip pain is a common problem and a major disabling condition that affects patients of all ages. Magnetic resonanceimaging (MRI) plays an important role as it provides valuable information regarding various hip pathologies. Thus, it is the modalityof choice for evaluation of hip pain as it has a profound impact on the subsequent treatment and is useful tool for the clinicians.Aims and Objectives: This study aims to assess the role of MRI in evaluation of painful hip joints and to describe the imagingfeatures along with differential diagnosis of the various hip pathologies.Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, 50 patients of all age groups with hip pain were evaluated by MRI hip in theDepartment of Radiodiagnosis, Gandhi Medical College and Hamidia Hospital, over a period of 1 year. MRI hip was performedon 1.5 Tesla Hitachi ECHELON SMART - 523 MRI machine using the required protocol and sequences. The possible diagnosiswas given and non-specific imaging findings were further confirmed by cytology/histopathology wherever indicated.Results: In our study of 50 cases, MRI could detect the exact cause of hip pain in 49 patients. The most common cause wasavascular necrosis of femoral head (50%) followed by infective arthritis (12%). Other causes were transient synovitis, sacroiliitis,osteoarthritis, slipped capital femoral epiphysis, Perthes disease, and various neoplastic conditions of the hip.Conclusion: This study concludes that MRI proved as a valuable imaging modality to accurately diagnose various pathologiesaffecting hip.