Diagnosis Of Acetabular Labral Tears Research Articles

Diagnostic value of magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance arthrography for assessing acetabular labral tears: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This study aimed to systematically evaluate the value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA) in the diagnosis of acetabular labral tears. Databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CBM, CNKI, WanFang Data, and VIP were electronically searched to collect relevant studies on magnetic resonance in the diagnosis of acetabular labral tears from inception to September 1, 2021. Two reviewers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias in the included studies by using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 tool. RevMan 5.3, Meta Disc 1.4, and Stata SE 15.0 were used to investigate the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance in patients with acetabular labral tears. A total of 29 articles were included, involving 1385 participants and 1367 hips. The results of the meta-analysis showed that the pooled sensitivity, pooled specificity, pooled positive likelihood ratio, pooled negative likelihood ratio, pooled diagnostic odds ratio, area under the curve of the summary receiver operating characteristic, and Q* of MRI for diagnosing acetabular labral tears were 0.77 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.75-0.80), 0.74 (95% CI, 0.68-0.80), 2.19 (95% CI, 1.76-2.73), 0.48 (95% CI, 0.36-0.65), 4.86 (95% CI, 3.44-6.86), 0.75, and 0.69, respectively. The pooled sensitivity, pooled specificity, pooled positive likelihood ratio, pooled negative likelihood ratio, pooled diagnostic odds ratio, area under the curve of the summary receiver operating characteristic, and Q* of MRA for diagnosing acetabular labral tears were 0.87 (95% CI, 0.84-0.89), 0.64 (95% CI, 0.57-0.71), 2.23 (95% CI, 1.57-3.16), 0.21 (95% CI, 0.16-0.27), 10.47 (95% CI, 7.09-15.48), 0.89, and 0.82, respectively. MRI has high diagnostic efficacy for acetabular labral tears, and MRA has even higher diagnostic efficacy. Due to the limited quality and quantity of the included studies, the above results should be further validated.

Accuracy of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Computed Tomography Arthrography in Diagnosing Acetabular Labral Tears and Chondral Lesions.

BackgroundWe investigated sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography arthrography (CTA), on the basis of arthroscopic findings, to diagnose acetabular labral tears and chondral lesions.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the results of MRI and subsequent CTA in 36 hips that underwent arthroscopic surgery (33 patients; 17 males [17 hips] and 16 females [19 hips]; average age, 35 years). All patients had positive impingement test results and groin pain. We analyzed sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of MRI and CTA by comparing with the arthroscopic findings. Interobserver agreement and intraobserver reproducibility of the presence of tears and cartilage lesions on MRI and CTA were calculated using Kappa coefficients.ResultsThe sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of MRI for detection of acetabular labral tears by two observers were 60%, 80%, and 64%, respectively, and 65%, 70%, and 69%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of CTA for detection of labral tears by both observers were 85%, 90%, and 86%, respectively, and 92%, 80%, and 89%, respectively. However, the sensitivity and specificity of MRI for detection of acetabular chondral lesions by both observers were 36% and 84%, respectively, and 46% and 88%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of CTA for detecting acetabular cartilage lesions by both observers were 46% and 72%, respectively, and 64% and 72%, respectively. Intraobserver reproducibility for detection of labral tears and chondral lesions by using MRI was substantial (κ = 0.756 and κ = 0.693, respectively). Interobserver reliability for detection of labral tears and chondral lesions by using MRI was substantial (κ = 0.700 and κ = 0.875, respectively). Intraobserver reproducibility for detection of labral tears and chondral lesions by using CTA was substantial (κ = 0.832 and κ = 0.774, respectively). Interobserver reliability for detection of labral tears and chondral lesions by using CTA was high (κ = 0.886 and κ = 0.596, respectively).ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that the accuracy of MRI to detect an acetabular labral tear and a chondral lesion of the hip joint was not sufficient. CTA was reliable in the diagnosis of acetabular labral tears. However, both CTA and MRI were also of limited value to detect chondral lesions.

Arthroscopic Repair of Acetabular Labral Tears Associated with Femoroacetabular Impingement: 7-10 Years of Long-Term Follow-up Results.

BackgroundThe purpose of this study is to report the long-term follow-up results of arthroscopic repair of acetabular labral tears with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI).MethodsOf 45 patients who underwent arthroscopic labral repair under the diagnosis of acetabular labral tears with FAI from January 2008 to December 2010 and met our inclusion criteria, 41 patients who were available for a long-term follow-up were included in the analysis. We compared the long-term follow-up results with the previously reported short-term follow-up results of the same patients. The mean follow-up period was 92.4 months (range, 85 to 117 months). There were 21 males and 20 females, and their mean age at surgery was 34.6 years (range, 16 to 54 years). A modified Harris hip score (mHHS), visual analog scale (VAS), hip outcome score-activity of daily living (HOS-ADL), hip outcome score-activity-sport-specific subscale (HOS-SSS), and patient satisfaction were used for evaluation of the clinical results and Tönnis grade for detection of early osteoarthritis (OA).ResultsThe mean VAS score decreased from 6.4 points to 1.8 points (p < 0.001), the mean mHHS increased from 59.5 points to 86.8 points (p < 0.001), and the mean HOS-ADL and HOS-SSS increased from 58.3 and 51.2, respectively, to 85.2 and 82.4, respectively (p < 0.001), between the preoperative and last follow-up assessment. The mean patient satisfaction score was 7.6 of 10. The average Tönnis grade at the last follow-up (0.67; range, 0 to 3) was not significantly different from the preoperative average (0.51; range, 0 to 1). Only one case was converted to total hip arthroplasty because of progression of OA at 8 years after surgery. Five cases of secondary arthroscopic surgery were performed before maximum 5 years postoperatively because of labro-synovial adhesion (three cases), pullout of the suture anchor (one case) or symptomatic heterotrophic ossification (one case).ConclusionsThe clinical and radiological long-term follow-up revealed that improvement after arthroscopic labral repair and osteoplasty for FAI were maintained in most cases without significant progression of arthritis. Anatomical recovery of the acetabular labrum was associated with the improvement of clinical symptoms.

MR Arthrography with Radial Planes in Diagnosis of Acetabular Labral Tear and Articular Cartilage Lesion of the Hip

AbstractBackground: The target of this study was to compare between MR arthrography with parallel planes and MR ar-thrography with radial planes in the diagnosis of acetabular labral tear and chondral lesion of the hip joint.Patients and Methods: 28 hips of 27 patients with sus-pected labral tear and/or FAI were enrolled in this prospective study. All hips were examined by direct MR arthrography. The acetabular labrum and articular cartilage were assessed at parallel planes (axial and coronal) and compared to radial planes.Results: Parallel planes detected 14 labral tear and 13 chondral lesion of the 28 examined hips while radial planes detected 22 labral tear and 22 chondral lesion.Conclusion: Radial planes have higher sensitivity than parallel planes in diagnosis of acetabular labral tear and chondral lesion of the hip.

Comparison of 3.0-T MR vs 3.0-T MR arthrography of the hip for detection of acetabular labral tears and chondral defects in the same patient population.

We report our experience in diagnostic sensitivity of 3.0-T conventional MR vs 3.0-T MR arthrography of the hip for detection of acetabular labral tears and chondral defects in the same patient population. 43 consecutive patients had both conventional hip MR and MR arthrography examinations performed. These examinations were reviewed retrospectively by independent reading of two musculoskeletal radiologists who read the MR and MR arthrogram examinations in a randomized fashion (i.e. MR and MR arthrogram examinations were read at separate sittings and in a randomized fashion so as not to bias reviewers). Scans were assessed for acetabular labral tears and chondral defects. All patients went on to arthroscopy. Of these 43 patients, 40 had acetabular labral tears read by Reader 1 and 39 had acetabular labral tears read by Reader 2 on MR arthrogram, 39 had acetabular labral tears read by Reader 1 and 38 had acetabular labral tears read by Reader 2 on conventional MR examination. There were 42 labral tears in 43 patients at arthroscopy. There were four false-negative labral tears compared with arthroscopy on MR and three false negatives on MR arthrography for Reader 1 and five false negatives on MR and four false negatives on MR arthrography for Reader 2. Each reader had one false-positive labral tear compared with arthroscopy on both MR and MR arthrography. There were 32 acetabular chondral defects at arthroscopy. Reader 1 saw 21 acetabular chondral defects on conventional MR and 27 chondral defects at MR arthrography. Reader 2 saw 19 acetabular chondral defects at conventional MR and 25 acetabular chondral defects on MR arthrography. There were no false-positive readings of chondral defects compared with arthroscopy on MR and one false positive for Reader 1 and two false positives for Reader 2 on MR arthrography as compared with arthroscopy. On conventional MR examination, sensitivities and specificities as compared with arthroscopy were as follows: Reader 1 acetabular labral tear (90% sensitivity, 0% specificity) and Reader 2 acetabular labral tear (88% sensitivity, 0% sensitivity). On MR arthrogram, sensitivities and specificities as compared with arthroscopy for Reader 1 were 93%, 0% and for Reader 2 were 90%, 0%, respectively. Sensitivities and specificities for detection of acetabular chondral defects as compared with arthroscopy were Reader 1 conventional MR (65% sensitivity, 100% specificity), Reader 1 MR arthrography (81% sensitivity, 91% specificity), Reader 2 conventional MR (59% sensitivity, 100% specificity) and Reader 2 MR arthrography (71% sensitivity, 82% specificity). In this series, 3.0-T MR demonstrated sensitivity for detection of acetabular labral tears that rivals the sensitivity of 3.0-T MR arthrography of the hip. In this series, 3.0-T MR arthrography was more sensitive than conventional 3.0-T MR for detection of acetabular chondral defects. 3.0-T MR and MR arthrography are near equivalent in the diagnosis of acetabular labral tears. This information is useful for pre-operative planning.

Time and Cost of Diagnosis for Symptomatic Femoroacetabular Impingement.

Background:Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and labral tears are common causes of hip pain that are often not promptly or properly diagnosed. To our knowledge, no reports have defined the time and cost of diagnosis of labral tears associated with FAI.Hypothesis:Patients with labral tears associated with FAI undergo extraneous diagnostic testing and pain and incur a significant amount of health care costs before they receive appropriate surgical management for their pathology.Study Design:Economic and decision analysis; Level of evidence, 4.Methods:A total of 78 patients diagnosed with symptomatic FAI were surveyed. A standardized questionnaire asked patients about time to diagnosis, symptoms, health care providers visited, imaging tests, and treatments prior to diagnosis. Costs were calculated based on 2012 national Medicare data.Results:Patients in the cohort saw an average of 4.0 health care providers, had an average of 3.4 diagnostic imaging tests, and tried an average of 3.1 treatments prior to diagnosis. The average total amount spent per patient prior to diagnosis was US$2456.97. The calculated minimum cost of diagnosis, including a visit to an orthopaedic surgeon as well as an anteroposterior pelvis and lateral hip radiograph and 1 magnetic resonance arthrogram, was US$690.62. The average duration between onset of symptoms and diagnosis of labral tear was 32.0 months.Conclusion:The average amount of health care dollars spent per patient prior to receiving a diagnosis of acetabular labral tear was US$1766.35 higher than the calculated minimum cost. This figure is based on Medicare payment amounts, which may significantly underestimate the actual charges at many hospitals, thereby increasing the total cost of diagnosis.Clinical Relevance:The costs and pain associated with this time, along with the potential long-term degradation of the hip joint, make it important for all health care professionals to recognize and appropriately manage or refer the patient.

Diagnostic Value of Ultrasound and Computed Tomographic Arthrography in Diagnosing Anterosuperior Acetabular Labral Tears

This study investigated the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of ultrasound as well as the computed tomography arthrography (CTA) findings and arthroscopic findings for the diagnosis of anterosuperior acetabular tear and correlated tear types using the Lage classification system on ultrasound and CTA compared with the arthroscopic findings. We retrospectively reviewed the results of ultrasonographic examinations conducted before injection and after injection of contrast for subsequent CTA in 36 hips (34 patients; 24 men [71%] and 10 women [29%]; mean age, 36 years). All patients had chronic groin pain and a positive impingement test. We analyzed the sensitivity, specificity, andaccuracy before injection, after injection, and at CTA and compared these with findings with the arthroscopic findings.Interobserver agreement and intraobserver reproducibility of the presence of a tear and tear type in the anterosuperior quadrant of the acetabular labrum on ultrasonography and CTA were calculated by use of κ coefficients. Thesensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for sonographic detection of labral tear before injection/after injection were 58%/79%, 67%/58%, and 61%/72%, respectively, for observer 1 and 75%/92%, 25%/42%, and 58%/75%, respectively, for observer 2. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for CTA detection of labral tears were 96%, 92%, and 94%, respectively, for observer 1 and 88%, 92%, and 89%, respectively, for observer 2. When the sonographic classification was compared with the arthroscopic findings of observer 1 and observer 2, the accuracy before injection/after injection was only 53%/67% and 58%/75%, respectively. The accuracy of morphologic classification of CTA and arthroscopic findings of observer 1 and observer 2 was 83% and 75%, respectively. Interobserver correlation before injection and at CTA was poor (κ= 0.056) and moderate (κ= 0.642), respectively. Although intra-articular injection during sonographic examination could improve diagnosis of labral tears, sonographic examination as a diagnostic technique is still of limited use. However, CTA shows reliable validity in the diagnosis of acetabular labral tears. Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Diagnosis of acetabular labral tears: Comparison of three-dimensional intermediate-weighted fast spin-echo MR arthrography with two-dimensional MR arthrography at 3.0 T

Magnetic resonance (MR) arthrography is the ideal imaging modality for the acetabular labrum. Three-dimensional (3D) fast spin-echo (FSE) sequences have similar diagnostic performance as two-dimensional (2D) conventional MR imaging for ligaments, menisci, or bone marrow edema in the knee. To compare the diagnostic accuracy and inter-observer reliability of 3D intermediate-weighted FSE sequence and 2D FSE sequences for the diagnosis of acetabular labral tears. Institutional review board approval was obtained and informed consent was waived for 45 patients (47 hips) who underwent 3D and 2D MR arthrography and subsequent arthroscopic surgery. The 3D sequences were performed using volumetric intermediate-weighted fast spin-echo imaging with fat suppression (voxel size, 0.6 × 0.6 × 1.2 mm; imaging time, 6 min 38 s). Labral tear was retrospectively and independently evaluated by two radiologists in four areas of the labrum (anterosuperior, posterosuperior, anteroinferior, and posteroinferior) on 3D and 2D FSE sequences. Statistical differences between the sensitivity and specificity of the methods were analyzed with the McNemar test, using arthroscopic findings as the reference standard. Inter-observer agreement was calculated using kappa statistics. Arthroscopic findings confirmed labral tears at 40 anterosuperior, 23 posterosuperior, 0 anteroinferior, and 2 posteroinferior quadrants. Sensitivity and specificity were 74% and 89% for 2D FSE sequences, and 78% and 92% for 3D FSE sequences, respectively. Sensitivities and specificities for the methods were not different statistically (P > 0.05). Inter-observer agreement for labral tear was substantial for 2D FSE sequences (κ = 0.774) and almost perfect for 3D FSE sequences (κ = 0.842). 3D intermediate-weighted FSE MR arthrography is excellent for diagnosing acetabular labral tears. Sensitivity, specificity, and inter-observer reliability were similar to conventional 2D MR arthrography. For evaluation of the labrum, 3D FSE MR arthrography is more time-efficient than 2D FSE MR arthrography.

The diagnostic value of direct CT arthrography using MDCT in the evaluation of acetabular labral tear: with arthroscopic correlation

The purpose of this study was first, to determine the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of MDCT arthrography (CTA) for the diagnosis of acetabular labral tear and sulcus; second, to correlate tear types using the Lage classification system on CTA compared with the arthroscopic classification; and third, to correlate CTA localization with arthroscopic localization. Direct CTA was performed using 16- or 64-slice MDCT in 126 hips (124 patients) who had chronic groin pain and positive impingement test. Images were reviewed and evaluated by two experienced musculoskeletal radiologists preoperatively. CTA findings were compared with arthroscopic findings in 58 hips (56 patients) under consensus by two orthopedic surgeons. Forty-one of the 58 hips were diagnosed as labral tears on CT arthrography. Forty-three of the 58 hips were shown to have a labral tear on arthroscopy. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for detecting labral tear and sulcus by CTA were 90.7%, 86.7%, and 89.7%, and 93.8%, 97.6% and 96.6% respectively for observer 1, and 90.7% and 80.0%, 87.9% and 87.5%, 95.2%, and 93.1 % respectively for observer 2. Thirty-five out of 41 hips (85%) that were diagnosed with labral tear on CTA correlated substantially with arthroscopic Lage classification (kappa coefficient = 0.65). CTA and arthroscopic findings showed similar distribution patterns of the tears with most lesions located in antero- and postero-superior areas (p = 0.013). Direct CT arthrography using MDCT may be a useful diagnostic technique in the detection of acetabular labral tear.

The preliminary application of magnetic resonance arthrography in the diagnosis of acetabular labral tears

Objective To investigate the application value of MR rthrography (MRA) in the diagnosis of acetabular labral tears. Methods Fifteen patients with a high degree of suspected acetabular labral tears received fluoroscope-guided injection of the contrast media into the hip joint ( hip arthrography) and fat-saturated spin-echo T1-weighted images were obtained in the coronal, sagittal, oblique-axial and radial planes. Hip arthroscopy was performed on 12 of them. Results Labral tears which were diagnosed in 11 patients by hip MRA were confirmed at hip arthroscopy. One patient showed no MRA indication of labraltear, also showed normal on arthroscopy. Tear in the anterior-superior quadrant 10 cases of 12 joints( 12/13), posterior-superior quadrant 1 case of a joint (1/13). In 11 patients who underwent arthroscopy,hip MRA diagnosed 3 (3/13) joints labral tears in coronal planes, 10 (10/13) joints in sagittal planes and13 (13/13) labral tears in axial-oblique and radial planes. In 15 patients with 20 hip joints, 5 cases 6 joints(6/20) with normal acetabular sublabral sulcus were performed. Conclusions MR arthrography of hip is areliable method in the diagnosis of acetabular labral tears. Scanning method should be included fat-saturatedspin-echo T1-weighted images in sagittal and oblique-axial planes or sagittal plus radial planes. The diagnosisof tor posterior-inferior quadrant should pay attention to the existence of a normal variation. Key words: Acetabulum; Hip injuries; Magnetic resonance imaging; Arthrography

The diagnostic accuracy of acetabular labral tears using magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance arthrography: a meta-analysis

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA) have been advocated for the diagnosis of acetabular labral tears. The purpose of this study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of MRI and MRA in diagnosing acetabular labral tears using meta-analysis. Pertinent published and unpublished literature databases were reviewed. A two-by-two table was constructed to calculate the sensitivity and specificity of MRI or MRA investigations against surgical outcomes. Pooled sensitivity and specificity and Receiver Operating Characteristic curve (ROC) evaluations were performed. Methodological quality of each study was assessed using the QUADAS (Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies) tool. Nineteen papers assessing 881 hips were reviewed. Conventional MRI was assessed in 13 studies and MRA was assessed in 16 studies. Whilst both MRI (0.5-3T) and MRA (0.5-3T) presented with a moderate sensitivity and specificity (sensitivity 66%, 87%; specificity 79%, 64%), diagnostic accuracy of MRA appeared to be superior to MRI in detecting acetabular labral tears on ROC curve interpretation. The literature poorly described population characteristics, assessor blinding, with limited sample sizes. MRI and MRA may be useful adjuncts in the diagnosis of acetabular labral tears in adults. MRA appears to be superior to conventional MRI.

Early Intra-Articular Hip Disease Presenting With Posterior Pelvic and Groin Pain

To determine whether posterior pelvic pain is associated with intra-articular hip abnormalities (labral tears and early degenerative changes) in patients with minimal-to-no radiographic abnormalities. A retrospective observational study of prospectively collected data collected from patients with an arthroscopy-confirmed diagnosis of acetabular labral tear or femoral and/or acetabular chondrosis, without severe deformity. An academic orthopedic clinic at a tertiary hospital. All patients, having failed to respond to conservative treatment, required surgical intervention for definitive structural diagnosis and treatment because of pain and dysfunction. Within this group, patients with posterior pelvic pain were included. One hundred thirty consecutive patients, 93 women and 37 men with mean age 31.16 years (range, 10-65.5 years), entered the study, and observational findings were reported. University instructional review board approval was obtained before conducting the study. Patients completed medical information questionnaires, pain diagrams, severity of pain, and validated hip questionnaires that focused on symptoms and function. Postoperatively, patients who had posterior pelvic pain before surgery completed a phone interview regarding their clinical progress. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASUREMENT: A numeric pain scale, description of location of continued pain, Modified Harris Hip Score, and satisfaction with the procedure were recorded. Twenty-six (20%) of the 130 patients complained of posterior pelvic pain as a component of their clinical presentation. Of these patients, the mean duration of symptoms was 29.5 months. A total of 92% related that their pain was moderate or marked. The preoperative mean modified Harris Hip Score was 61.6 (range, 27-85) and showed postoperative improvement with a mean of 84.5 (range, 45-100; P < .001). The Modified Harris Hip Score was completed a mean 15.9 months postoperatively. Pain diagrams and questionnaires revealed that of the 26 patients with posterior pelvic pain, 92.3% (24/26) also had associated groin pain (P < .001), 57.7% (15/26) had lateral thigh pain, and 7.7% (2/26) had anterior thigh pain (P < .001). A total of 12 of 26 patients with an initial presentation including posterior pelvic pain agreed to a phone interview. The mean time after surgery in this group of patients was 56.9 months (range, 39-65 months). Five of 12 patients reported no pain and no activity limitations. The Visual Analog Scale representing their self-reported average daily pain was 1.4 (range, 0-3). The mean Modified Harris Hip Score was 10.4 (range, 8-13). All 7 patients with continued pain described the pain in more than one location. Ten of 12 patients were very satisfied with hip arthroscopy, 1 of 12 was somewhat satisfied, and 1 of 12 was dissatisfied. This latter patient went on to have total hip arthroplasty and was very satisfied with that procedure. All 12 patients would recommend the procedure to a friend. Twenty percent of patients at the authors' institution who required surgical intervention to treat their pain after not responding to conservative management had posterior pelvic pain in addition to groin or lateral and anterior hip pain. Of those respondents, 33% had complete resolution of symptoms at 4.75 years after surgery, and all had reduction in pain as compared with completion of conservative care. Patients with early intra-articular hip pathology, such as acetabular labral tears with no or mild hip deformity, and patients with arthrosis and mild hip deformity may experience groin and posterior pelvic pain as part of their clinical presentation.

Identification of Abnormal Hip Motion Associated With Acetabular Labral Pathology

Resident's case problem. Recent literature has suggested that acetabular labral pathology secondary to femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) may be a precursor to early-onset hip osteoarthritis. The purpose of this resident's case problem was to explore the extent to which abnormal movement at the hip is a possible contributor to acetabular labral pathology. The patient was a 25-year-old female with a 4-year history of anterior-medial groin pain. Based on a combination of the clinical examination and magnetic resonance imaging findings, she was given a diagnosis of acetabular labral tear by her orthopaedic surgeon and referred to a physical therapist for assessment. Movement analysis during a single-leg step down, running, and a drop jump maneuver revealed excessive hip adduction and internal rotation on the involved side, which reproduced her symptoms. Application of a hip-strapping device resulted in decreased hip adduction and internal rotation, and an immediate decrease in symptoms. The reduction in pain secondary to controlling hip motion suggests that excessive frontal and transverse plane hip motions may contribute to FAI. Accordingly, physical therapy intervention aimed at controlling and reducing hip adduction and internal rotation during activities may be indicated in patients who present with this movement pattern associated with anterior hip/groin pain.

Magnetic Resonance Arthrography versus Arthroscopy in the Evaluation of Articular Hip Pathology

In this study, we compared magnetic resonance arthrography results with hip arthroscopy findings to assess the diagnostic value of this imaging technique in evaluating acetabular labral tears and concurrent articular hip pathology. One hundred one consecutive patients (102 hips) with a clinical diagnosis of acetabular labral tear were assessed using magnetic resonance arthrography and had hip arthroscopy after failing to improve with nonoperative treatment. Magnetic resonance arthrography detected 71 of 93 (76%) acetabular labral tears (92 patients) with five false positive studies in five patients (4.9%). Articular cartilage findings diagnosed by magnetic resonance arthrography were confirmed by arthroscopy in 64 hips in 64 patients (62.7%). With respect to labral pathology, magnetic resonance arthrography showed a sensitivity of 71%, specificity of 44% positive predictive value of 93%, negative predictive value of 13%, and accuracy of 69%. With respect to articular cartilage pathology, magnetic resonance arthrography had a sensitivity of 47%, specificity of 89%, positive predictive value of 84%, negative predictive value of 59%, and accuracy of 67%. Although magnetic resonance arthrography is an excellent positive predictor in diagnosing acetabular labral tears and articular cartilage abnormalities, it has limited sensitivity. A negative imaging study does not exclude important intra-articular pathology that can be identified and treated arthroscopically.

Tears of the Acetabular Labrum in Athletes: Diagnosis and Treatment

SUMMARYTears of the acetabular labrum are becoming recognized as a source of hip pain in the athlete. The diagnosis of acetabular labral tears is often delayed, leading to protracted periods of hip pain. In the athlete, symptomatic tears may lead to prolonged periods of missed play. Long-term, these

Acetabular labral tears: evaluation with MR arthrography.

To determine the usefulness of magnetic resonance (MR) arthrography in the diagnosis of acetabular labral tears. MR arthrography of the hip was performed in 10 patients who underwent subsequent surgical evaluation. Eight arthrograms were obtained with intraarticular administration of gadolinium solution and two with intraarticular administration of normal saline. T1-weighted spin-echo (intraarticular gadolinium) or T2-weighted gradient-echo (intraarticular normal saline) images were obtained in the axial, sagittal, and coronal planes with use of a surface coil. Criteria for labral tears included labral blunting, absence, displacement, intrasubstance contrast material, and contrast material at the acetabular-labral junction. Labra with enlargement, intrasubstance intermediate signal intensity, or irregular margins were interpreted as degenerative. Labral tears were diagnosed in eight hips. Tears included six labra with contrast material that tracked at the acetabular-labral junction, one of which had associated intrasubstance extension. One tear was confined to the labral substance. The other tear exhibited absent labral tissue and an irregular remnant. One degenerative labrum and one normal labrum were identified. All MR arthrographic findings were confirmed at surgery. Extension of one anterosuperior tear into the posterosuperior labrum was not prospectively appreciated. In this preliminary study, MR arthrography appears to be a promising imaging modality for accurate diagnosis of acetabular labral tears.