title: Symptomatic enlarged iliopsoas bursae in the presence of a normal plain hip radiograph.
abstract: The clinical and radiological features of seven cases of enlarged iliopsoas bursae are presented, all of which had normal plain hip radiographs. Two cases had rheumatoid arthritis, one had septic arthritis diagnosed by synovial biopsy and the remaining four cases occurred as isolated findings, in the absence of any recognized hip pathology. A communication with the hip joint was demonstrated in one case associated with septic arthritis. All patients presented with symptoms of hip pain and limitation of movement. Two patients had a groin mass, one of which produced localized pressure symptoms and retroperitoneal extension. All patients had an arthrogram or bursogram performed. In the two cases where a mass was palpable, ultrasound and computed tomography were performed. We conclude that, in the presence of persistent hip pain or reduced range of movement, an enlarged iliopsoas bursa should be considered as a potential diagnosis, even in cases where the plain hip radiograph is normal.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Rheumatology, Mater Hospital, Dublin 7, Ireland.
authors.forename: F L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Flanagan
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sant
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Coughlan
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: O'Connell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001175:Arthrography; D002062:Bursitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement; D010146:Pain; D012016:Reference Values; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed