MRI in Evaluation of Avascular Necrosis of Head of Femur

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to describe the role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in evaluation of Avascular necrosis of femoral head and study the age, gender, symptoms among the study group. MRI examination of 48 patients who were clinically suspected with Avascular necrosis of femoral head and referred to department of Radiology, Osmania general hospital, Hyderabad were studied. All patients were imaged using a 1.5 tesla MRI scanner (SignaHDxt; GE Medicalsystems). MRI is the most sensitive means of diagnosing avascular necrosis (AVN). This imaging modality provides the criterion standard of noninvasive diagnostic evaluation and is more sensitive than CT scanning or planar scintigraphy. In addition, MRI is much more sensitive than plain film radiography for detecting avascular necrosis (AVN). MRI is indispensable for the accurate staging of avascular necrosis (AVN), because images clearly depict the size of the lesion, and gross estimates of the stage of disease can be made. MRI does not employ ionizing radiation and both hip joints can be imaged simultaneously. 48 patients were evaluated in our study. MRI helps in accurate staging of Avascular necrosis of femoral head. Screening of asymptomatic contralateral hips is important as most of the times the disease is bilateral and early core decompression can prevent progression of the disease.