Abstract
Objective
To assess the specificity and sensitivity of MR arthrography of the hip in comparison with arthroscopy for the evaluation of intra-articular loose bodies.
Design
Over a 3-year period, 81 consecutive patients underwent a total of 82 hip arthroscopies by a single orthopedic surgeon for intractable hip pain. Of the 82 arthroscopies, 70 had pre-operative MR arthrograms. Of these, 57 were available for retrospective review, after which they were compared with the operative notes of the subsequent arthroscopies.
Results
Of 82 arthroscopies 16 (20%) demonstrated intra-articular loose bodies, while, in the study group, nine of 57 had loose bodies (16%). There was a total of seven discordant cases (five false negatives and two false positives). The sensitivity of MR arthrography for detection of intra-articular loose bodies was 44%, while the specificity was 96%.
Conclusion
While the specificity of MR arthrography for the detection of intra-articular loose bodies was high (96%), the sensitivity was not nearly as good (44%).
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Neckers, A.C., Polster, J.M., Winalski, C.S. et al. Comparison of MR arthrography with arthroscopy of the hip for the assessment of intra-articular loose bodies. Skeletal Radiol 36, 963–967 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-007-0331-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-007-0331-5