Ischiofemoral Space on MRI in an Asymptomatic Population: Normative Width Measurements and Soft Tissue Signal Variations

• Published in: European radiology Vol. 25; no. 8; pp. 2246 - 2253
• Main Authors: Maras Özdemir, Zeynep, Aydingöz, Üstün, Görmeli, Cemile Ayse, Sair Kahraman, Aysegül
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.08.2015; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adult; Asymptomatic; Diagnostic Radiology; Edema; Female; Femur Head - anatomy & histology; Healthy Volunteers; Hip Joint - anatomy & histology; Humans; Imaging; Internal Medicine; Interventional Radiology; Magnetic resonance imaging; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Muscle, Skeletal - anatomy & histology; Musculoskeletal; Neuroradiology; Pelvic Bones - anatomy & histology; Prospective Studies; Radiology; Tendons; Ultrasound; Ischiofemoral space; Normative measurements; Asymptomatic population; Magnetic resonance imaging; Hip
• ISSN: 0938-7994; 1432-1084
• DOI: 10.1007/s00330-015-3625-3

Objectives To make normative width measurements of the ischiofemoral (IF) space in an asymptomatic population and to record soft tissue MRI signal variations within the IF space in order to determine whether such variations are associated with IF space dimensions. Methods Normative width measurements of the IF space were prospectively made in 418 hips on 1.5 T MR images of 209 asymptomatic volunteers. Quantitative and qualitative assessments of the IF soft tissues including the quadratus femoris (QF) muscle were also made. Results The mean IF space width was 2.56 ± 0.75 cm (right, 2.60 ± 0.75 cm; left, 2.53 ± 0.75 cm). Soft tissue MRI signal abnormalities were present within the IF space in 19 (9.1 %) of 209 volunteers. Soft tissue abnormalities within the IF space included oedema (3/209, 1.4 %) of the QF and/or surrounding soft tissue, and only fatty infiltration (16/209, 7.7 %) of the QF. Conclusions Bilateral IF spaces are asymmetrical in asymptomatic persons. There is ≥10 % of width difference between right and left IF spaces in approximately half of asymptomatic individuals. Fatty infiltration and oedema can be present at the IF space in a small portion of the asymptomatic population, who also have narrower IF spaces than those without soft tissue MRI signal abnormalities. Key points • Bilateral IF spaces are commonly asymmetrical in asymptomatic individuals. • MRI signal abnormalities can be observed within IF space in asymptomatic people. • Abnormal quantitative/qualitative MRI findings are not necessarily related to IF impingement.