Degenerative cartilage lesions of the hip--magnetic resonance evaluation.
The capability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to visualize early degenerative arthritis of the hip was investigated. The study was performed on 8 healthy students and 45 elderly volunteers. Images were obtained by using an electronically variable Helmholtz coil (switched-array coil, SAC). In order to diagnose degenerative lesions of the joint cartilage, FISP sequences with a flip angle of 70 degrees were found preferable to compared sequences. MRI-detectable signs of degenerative arthritis of the hip were narrowed joint space due to partially thinned cartilage layers, focal areas of either increased or decreased signal intensity in the hyaline cartilage, complete loss of cartilage, and signal variation in the bone marrow. MRI of the hip may be appropriate to detect early degenerative changes in the hips of young high-risk patients to facilitate therapy planning.
Bongartz
G
G
Department of Radiology, Medical School, University of Muenster, FRG.
Bock
E
E
Horbach
T
T
Requardt
H
H
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D015207:Osteoarthritis, Hip / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013997:Time Factors