Ultrasound imaging for the rheumatologist. XLII. Assessment of hip pain in rheumatic patients: the radiologist's view
Vitali, S.; Delle Sedie, A.; Filippucci, E.; Riente, L.; Iagnocco, A.; Sakellariou, G.; Meenagh, G.; Paolicchi, A.; Montecucco, C.; Valesini, G.; Grassi, W.; Bombardieri, S.; Caramella, D.
Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology 30(6): 817-824
2012
ISSN/ISBN: 0392-856X PMID: 23253630 Document Number: 663747
Hip pain is a common complaint in daily practice and the identification of the underlying pathologic condition is the first step for an adequate treatment. In this review, we discuss the available evidence for the application of conventional radiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in rheumatologic patients with painful hip, presenting the main imaging findings due to osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthritides), osteonecrosis and some other soft tissue involvement (bursitis and synovial cyst) that could be the cause of hip pain. Because different imaging techniques show different sensitivity and specificity, the choice of technique to use depends on the type and stage of the disease itself.