Radial MRI of the hip with moderate osteoarthritis

We carried out radial MRI in 30 hips with VV moderate osteoarthritis and in ten normal hips. On a scout view containing the entire acetabular rim, 12 vertical radial slices were set at 15 degrees intervals, Different appearan ces were observed in different parts of the joint. In the weight-bearing po rtion, from 45 degrees anterosuperior to 45 degrees posterosuperior, 'atten uation' (n = 16) and 'disappearance' (n = 25) were observed as abnormalitie s of the labrum with 'capsular stripping' (n = 29) and 'extraosseous high s ignal lesion' (n = 27) as capsular abnormalities, seen more often in the an terosuperior portion. In all 12 planes there were osteophytes on the acetab ular edge (n = 24), femoral head (n = 22) and/or at the central acetabulum (n = 6), a bone cyst on the acetabulum (n = 18) and/or the femoral head (n = 9), irregularity of the articular cartilage (n = 30), and an effusion (n = 28), Our findings indicate that radial MRI may be a useful non-invasive d iagnostic method for demonstrating pathology in moderate osteoarthritis of the hip.