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Acetabular labrum: MRI in asymptomatic volunteers
A Cotten1, N Boutry, X Demondion
1Service de Radiologie Ostéo-Articulaire, Hôpital Roger Salengro, CHRU de Lille, France.
Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography
|February 4, 1998
Summary
High-resolution MRI reveals varied appearances of the hip labrum in asymptomatic individuals. Common findings include increased signal intensity and anterosuperior labral absence, which may be normal variations.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Orthopedics
- Anatomy
Background:
- The acetabular labrum is crucial for hip joint stability and function.
- Understanding normal variations in labral appearance is essential for accurate diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging appearance of the acetabular labrum in asymptomatic hips.
- To establish a baseline for identifying labral abnormalities.
Main Methods:
- High-resolution MRI of 52 hips in 46 asymptomatic volunteers (age 15-85) was performed.
- Coronal and axial T1-weighted and T2-weighted sequences were utilized.
- Labral shape, margin, size, and signal intensity were analyzed.
Main Results:
- The anterosuperior labrum was absent in 10% of hips.
- Intermediate to high intralabral signal intensity was observed in 58% of hips on T1-weighted and proton density-weighted sequences.
- Four labra showed T2-weighted findings consistent with tears, and three had intralabral microcysts.
Conclusions:
- The MR appearance of the asymptomatic hip labrum is diverse.
- Increased intralabral signal intensity and anterosuperior labral absence are frequent findings.
- These variations may represent normal anatomical variants rather than pathology.