[Magnetic resonance in the study of tubercular coxitis]

The hip joint is the most common skeletal site for tuberculous disease, aside from vertebrae. Eight patients underwent MR investigations. In four cases (group A) there was suspicion of hip tuberculosis on the basis of clinical and laboratory findings, whereas the other 4 patients (group B) were known to suffer from hip tuberculosis. In group A, MRI always demonstrated inflammatory joint effusions, capsular distension, and subchondral bone conditions. No changes in the synovial membrane were found at onset, while the correct evaluation of the articular cartilage was not possible, due to the presence of concomitant effusion. In group B, MRI yielded no additional diagnostic information with respect to plain film, whereas it was undoubtedly the best diagnostic technique to detect joint effusions and to exclude other concomitant pathologic conditions such as neuroalgodystrophy and osteonecrosis. In conclusion, MRI does not yield specific or peculiar semeiological elements for the diagnosis of hip tuberculosis. On the other hand, MRI, together with clinics and with laboratory findings, allows the early and aspecific diagnosis of hip pain to be confirmed and specified, for the technique is a sensitive indicator of the presence of early lesions.