Sonographic Findings of Calcific Tendinitis around the Hip

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the sonographic findings of calcific tendinitis around the hip. MATERIALS and METHODS: Ten patients (7 women and 3 men; mean age, 42 years; age range, 34-52 years) with a diagnosis of calcific tendinitis around the hip were evaluated. All the patients underwent radiography and sonography (color Doppler sonography in 6 patients). The sonographic findings were analyzed to determine the level of tendon thickening compared with the contralateral side as well as the shape and posterior acoustic shadowing of the calcification, and vascularity on color Doppler sonography. RESULTS: In all cases, sonography showed a thickening of the tendon compared with the contralateral normal tendon as well as hyperechoic calcific shadows within the thickened tendon. Intratendinous calcifications were mainly observed as a homogeneous ovoid hyperechoic shadow with or without acoustic shadowing. Color Doppler sonography showed increased vascularity within or around the thickened tendon in four of the six patients. CONCLUSION: Sonography is effective in detecting a thickening of the tendon as well as intratendinous calcification, and can be used to diagnose calcific tendinitis around the hip.