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Acetabular labrum: abnormal findings at MR imaging in asymptomatic hips
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana Chuo-ku, Chiba City, Chiba 260-8677, Japan. abe@cc.rim.or.jp
Radiology
|August 5, 2000
Summary
Abnormalities in the acetabular labrum are common in asymptomatic hips, detectable via magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. These findings, including shape and signal intensity variations, correlate with patient age and labral location.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Orthopedic Imaging
- Hip Anatomy
Background:
- The acetabular labrum is crucial for hip joint stability and function.
- Labral tears are a common cause of hip pain, often diagnosed with imaging.
- Understanding variations in asymptomatic hips is key to accurate diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of acetabular labrum abnormalities in asymptomatic hips using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging.
- To correlate these abnormalities with patient age and specific labral portions.
- To establish baseline MR imaging findings for the acetabular labrum in a healthy population.
Main Methods:
- Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was performed on 71 asymptomatic hips.
- Imaging slices were radially sectioned perpendicular to the acetabular labrum at 30-degree intervals.
- Labral segments were analyzed for shape, signal intensity, and presence of irregularity.
Main Results:
- The labrum's shape was predominantly triangular (80%), with round (13%) and irregular (7%) shapes also observed.
- Homogeneous low signal intensity was noted in 56% of labral segments.
- Labral irregularity and high signal intensity increased with subject age and anterior labral location.
Conclusions:
- Abnormalities in acetabular labrum shape and signal intensity are detectable in asymptomatic hips via MR imaging.
- Age and specific labral location influence these imaging findings.
- These variations must be considered when interpreting MR images for suspected labral lesions.