The role of multidetector CT arthrography in the investigation of suspected intra-articular hip pathology

• Published in: British journal of radiology Vol. 83; no. 994; pp. 861 - 867
• Main Authors: CHRISTIE-LARGE, M, TAPP, M. J. F, THEIVENDRAN, K, JAMES, S. L. J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London British Institute of Radiology 01.10.2010; The British Institute of Radiology
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Arthrography - methods; Biological and medical sciences; Cartilage, Articular - diagnostic imaging; Cartilage, Articular - pathology; Child; Female; Femur Head - diagnostic imaging; Femur Head - pathology; Hip Joint - diagnostic imaging; Hip Joint - pathology; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Osteoarticular system. Muscles; Preoperative Care; Radiodiagnosis. Nmr imagery. Nmr spectrometry; Retrospective Studies; Sensitivity and Specificity; Tomography, X-Ray Computed - methods; Young Adult; Medical imagery; Helical computed tomography; Multidetector scanner; Computed tomographic arthrography; Hip
• ISSN: 0007-1285; 1748-880X
• DOI: 10.1259/bjr/76751715

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of multidetector CT (MDCT) arthrography in the diagnosis of intra-articular hip pathology. A retrospective review of 96 patients who had undergone CT hip arthrography was performed. Data regarding the presence of a labral tear, paralabral cyst, chondral loss, acetabular version, femoral morphology and fibrocystic change were collected. We detected 28 labral tears (24 anterior, 2 anterolateral, 1 lateral and 1 posterolateral). An abnormal labral-chondral transitional zone was seen in 9 patients and 4 patients had surface labral fraying. We identified three paralabral cysts. Acetabular cartilage loss was detected in 45 and femoral cartilage loss in 9 patients. An abnormal anterior femoral head and neck junction was present in 18 hips and fibrocystic change in 8. Acetabular retroversion was present in 11 hips. 63 sets of patient notes were reviewed, of which 49 were in-patients with abnormal MDCT arthrogram findings. Surgical correlation was available in 27 patients. There was a discrepancy between the findings of a labral tear in one patient (false negative, 90% sensitivity and 100% specificity) and the presence of acetabular cartilage loss (88% sensitivity and 100% specificity) and femoral cartilage loss (94% sensitivity and 100% specificity) in three patients. MDCT arthrography affords accurate detection of intra-articular hip pathology.