Arthrography in the diagnosis of unexplained chronic hip pain with regional osteopenia

Three cases of chronic hip pain with radiographic periarticular osteopenia and normal joint spaces are reported. The articular nature of symptomatology, periarticular demineralization, and radionuclide localization suggested intraarticular disease. Computed tomography did not disclose the cause of hip pain when utilized in two instances. Positive contrast hip arthrography was the only diagnostic modality which demonstrated the chondromatosis or adhesive capsulitis responsible for pain. Differential diagnosis and pathophysiologic mechanisms are briefly reviewed.