Ultrasound imaging for the rheumatologist. XLII. Assessment of hip pain in rheumatic patients: the radiologist's view

Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2012 Nov-Dec;30(6):817-24. Epub 2012 Dec 17.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Arthralgia / diagnosis
  • Arthralgia / etiology*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / complications
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / diagnostic imaging
  • Hip Joint / diagnostic imaging*
  • Hip Joint / pathology
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Osteoarthritis, Hip / complications
  • Osteoarthritis, Hip / diagnostic imaging
  • Osteonecrosis / complications
  • Osteonecrosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Pain Measurement
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Rheumatic Diseases / complications
  • Rheumatic Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Rheumatic Diseases / pathology
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Spondylarthropathies / complications
  • Spondylarthropathies / diagnostic imaging
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Ultrasonography