MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING OF THE HIP WITH A PELVIC PHASED-ARRAY SURFACE COIL - A TECHNICAL NOTE

Objective. The aim of this study was to assess the capability of high- resolution images obtained with a commercially available pelvic phased -array surface coil to demonstrate normal hip anatomy. Design. We retr ospectively analyzed the oblique coronal magnetic resonance (MR) image s of hips of 36 consecutive patients acquired on a 1.5-T clinical imag er using a pelvic phased-array coil as a receiver, a 16-20 cm field of view, and 5 mm slice thickness. Patients. Thirty-six patients were st udied, age 15-81 years. There were 20 males and 16 females. Results an d conclusions. The articular cartilage, cortex, superior labrum, and i liofemoral ligament were well visualized on proton density weighted fa t saturation (PDF) images. The femoral and obturator vessels, obturato r nerve, and various muscles were easily seen on T1-weighted images. H igh-resolution imaging of the hip is achievable in a reasonable amount of time using newer phased-array surface coils and may play an increa sing role in the future evaluation of hip disorders.