Magnetic resonance arthrography and the prevalence of acetabular labral tears in patients 50 years of age and older

Outcomes of Isolated Endoscopic Gluteal Tendon Repair Compared With Concomitant Endoscopic Gluteal Tendon Repair and Arthroscopic Hip Labral Repair: A Propensity-Matched Analysis With Minimum 2-Year Follow-up

Background

Both gluteal and labral tears are common sources of hip pain, but no studies have evaluated how concomitant arthroscopic labral repair and correction of femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) affect outcomes after endoscopic gluteus/minimus repair.

Purpose

(1) To compare patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and clinically significant outcomes achievements between patients who underwent endoscopic gluteus medius/minimus and arthroscopic hip labral repair with correction of FAIS versus endoscopic gluteus medius/minimus repair without labral repair and (2) to define threshold scores required to achieve the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) and the Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS) for the Hip Outcome Score-Activities of Daily Living, Hip Outcome Score-Sports Specific, modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), 12-item international Hip Outcome Tool, and visual analog scale for pain in these patients.

Study Design

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods

Patients who underwent primary endoscopic gluteus medius/minimus repair between 2012 and 2020 were identified. Those who underwent concomitant arthroscopic labral repair and correction of FAIS with femoroplasty or acetabuloplasty as indicated were propensity matched in a 1 to 1 ratio by sex, age, and body mass index to patients who underwent gluteus medius/minimus repair without labral repair. Patients who completed the study PROs were assessed preoperatively and at 2 years postoperatively. Threshold scores required to achieve the MCID and PASS thresholds were calculated.

Results

A total of 32 patients who underwent simultaneous gluteal and labral repair (G+L) were matched to 32 patients who underwent gluteal repair without labral repair (G); 75% of patients in the G cohort underwent labral debridement, while 25% in this cohort received no labral treatment. A significant difference was observed between groups in preoperative mHHS scores (G+L, 54.4 ± 12.9 vs G, 46.3 ± 14; P = .048) but no differences in any other PRO scores (P≥ .207). The MCID/PASS thresholds were as follows: Hip Outcome Score-Activities of Daily Living (11.14/83.82), Hip Outcome Score-Sports Specific (16.07/59.72), mHHS (11.47/70.95), 12-item international Hip Outcome Tool (13.73/45.49), and visual analog scale for pain (14.30/22). There were no significant differences in MCID or PASS achievement rates between the 2 groups (P≥ .108).

Conclusion

Patients who underwent combined G+L demonstrated comparable PROs and clinically significant outcomes achievement rates to patients who underwent G, highlighting sustained successful outcomes for patients with gluteal tendon pathology and concomitant FAIS and labral tears.

SSR white paper: guidelines for utilization and performance of direct MR arthrography

OBJECTIVE

Direct magnetic resonance arthrography (dMRA) is often considered the most accurate imaging modality for the evaluation of intra-articular structures, but utilization and performance vary widely without consensus. The purpose of this white paper is to develop consensus recommendations on behalf of the Society of Skeletal Radiology (SSR) based on published literature and expert opinion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The Standards and Guidelines Committee of the SSR identified guidelines for utilization and performance of dMRA as an important topic for study and invited all SSR members with expertise and interest to volunteer for the white paper panel. This panel was tasked with determining an outline, reviewing the relevant literature, preparing a written document summarizing the issues and controversies, and providing recommendations.

RESULTS

Twelve SSR members with expertise in dMRA formed the ad hoc white paper authorship committee. The published literature on dMRA was reviewed and summarized, focusing on clinical indications, technical considerations, safety, imaging protocols, complications, controversies, and gaps in knowledge. Recommendations for the utilization and performance of dMRA in the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle/foot regions were developed in group consensus.

CONCLUSION

Although direct MR arthrography has been previously used for a wide variety of clinical indications, the authorship panel recommends more selective application of this minimally invasive procedure. At present, direct MR arthrography remains an important procedure in the armamentarium of the musculoskeletal radiologist and is especially valuable when conventional MRI is indeterminant or results are discrepant with clinical evaluation.

Editorial Commentary: Treatment of Concomitant Intra-Articular Pathology in Patients With Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome Is Indicated by Provocative Impingement or Instability Physical Examination and Ultrasound-Guided Analgesic Injection Testing

Endoscopic surgery can be used to address peritrochanteric pathology in patients with greater trochanteric pain syndrome. During management of these patients, surgeons must decide whether adjunctive hip arthroscopy to treat concomitant intra-articular pathology (such as labral tears or chondral lesions) is required, because the prevalence of intra-articular findings may be greater than the clinical significance. A thorough history and physical examination can help distinguish whether the symptoms are arising from a peritrochanteric issue (e.g., gluteal tendinopathy, trochanteric bursitis, external coxa saltans) versus an intra-articular pain generator. Increased symptoms with provocative impingement or instability testing indicate adjunctive hip arthroscopy to address intra-articular abnormalities. In addition, an ultrasound-guided analgesic injection into the hip joint or peritrochanteric region may aid in diagnosis. A patient with partial symptomatic relief from separate injections into both areas is a classic presentation and consistent with a mixed-picture of peritrochanteric and intra-articular pathology, which may be addressed with a combined endoscopic and arthroscopic approach.

Imaging update on cartilage

In this update article, we present a review of the literature regarding the physiology of the articular cartilage, role of MR imaging in cartilage assessment, MRI sequences and protocols for cartilage imaging, brief overview of classifications and nomenclature for chondral and osteochondral lesions, MR imaging following cartilage repair and degenerative osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis of the hip: are degenerative tears of the acetabular labrum predictable from features on hip radiographs?

BACKGROUND

A common feature of hip arthritis is the presence of labra tears. Recent literature suggests against the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients aged >45 years for the assessment of hip pain related to arthritis.

PURPOSE

To determine if radiographic features of osteoarthritis detectable on routine hip radiographs are accurate and reliable surrogate markers of degenerative acetabular labral tears identified on MR arthrography (MRA) and corroborated during arthroscopy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective study involving 86 symptomatic patients (hip pain) with radiologic work-up included MRA and pelvic or hip radiographs that underwent hip arthroscopy within three months. Imaging characteristics assessed on hip radiographs include measurements of superior acetabular, femoral head osteophyte, cortical thickness of the femoral shaft, and minimum joint space as well as presence of subchondral sclerosis of the femoral head and acetabulum, femoral shaft buttressing, and grade of arthritis. Presence of a labral tear was determined by consensus between three readers as well as by surgical correlation. The Pearson's chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests were used to compare presence of labral tears with each radiographic feature.

RESULTS

Seventy-one patients (82.6%) had labral tears: 49 (69%) women and 22 (31%) men. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed statistical significance (P<0.05) between presence of a labral tear and acetabular and femoral head osteophyte sizes but failed to demonstrate any significance regarding acetabular subchondral sclerosis, cortical thickness, buttressing, or minimum joint space.

CONCLUSIONS

Radiographic markers such as the acetabular and femoral head osteophyte sizes demonstrated statistical significance with the presence of labral tears.

Outcome of Surgical Treatment of Hip Femoroacetabular Impingement Patients with Radiographic Osteoarthritis: A Meta-analysis of Prospective Studies

INTRODUCTION

In this study, the prognostic value of osteoarthritis (OA) on the overall failure rate, pain, and function of surgical management of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) was evaluated via meta-analysis.

METHODS

Relevant comparative studies were obtained from PubMed, OVID, and Cochrane database up until April 2016. Studies were selected according to the eligibility criteria. The study design, participant characteristics, interventions, and outcomes were reviewed after the assessment of methodological quality of each trial. All data were analyzed by Review Manager 5.3.

RESULTS

Seven studies were identified with 1,129 total patients, with 819 patients in the FAI group and 310 patients in the FAI with OA group. Pooled analyses showed that the overall failure rate was significantly higher in the FAI-OA group than in the FAI group (odds ratio, 8.50; 95% confidence interval, 4.44 to 16.26; P < 0.00001). In addition, the rate of conversion to total hip arthroplasty was significantly higher in the FAI-OA group (37.3%) than in the FAI group (9.7%) (odds ratio, 19.42; 95% confidence interval, 7.00 to 53.85; P < 0.00001).

CONCLUSIONS

We found that radiographic OA was correlated with higher failure rates, increased conversion to total hip arthroplasty, and worse outcomes after surgical management of FAI.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level II.

[Labral pathologies of the hip joint]

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the hip joint is performed for the diagnostics of many clinical pathologies. For clarification of pathologies of the hip joint conventional MRI and MR arthrography are used. The use of MRI either with or without the intravenous administration of contrast material is performed to diagnose bone marrow lesions, necrosis of the femoral head, inflammatory and tumorous lesions affecting the hip joint and its components. After the intra-articular administration of a diluted solution of contrast material, which results in distension of the joint, MR arthrography is performed for the diagnosis of intra-articular pathologies, such as lesions of the labrum acetabulare, chondral lesions and free intra-articular bodies. In recent times, MR arthrography is carried out with continuous traction of the limb to be examined because this leads to a distension of the joint and its components and in this way particularly lesions of the labrum with involvement of cartilage can be visualized even better. This article gives an overview of MRI and the accuracy of detecting lesions of the labrum acetabulare and the influence on the therapeutic approach.

What is the prevalence of imaging-defined intra-articular hip pathologies in people with and without pain? A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Intra-articular hip pathologies are thought to be associated with the development of hip and groin pain. A better understanding of the relationship between symptoms and imaging findings may improve the management of individuals with intra-articular hip pathologies.

OBJECTIVE

To undertake a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the prevalence of intra-articular hip pathologies in individuals with and without pain.

METHODS

Seven electronic databases were searched in February 2017 for studies investigating the prevalence of intra-articular hip pathologies using MRI, MRA or CT. Two independent reviewers conducted the search, study selection, quality appraisal and data extraction. Meta-analysis was performed when studies were deemed homogenous, with a strength of evidence assigned to pooled results.

RESULTS

In general, studies were moderate to high risk of bias, with only five studies adjudged to be low risk of bias. The 29 studies reporting on the prevalence of intra-articular hip pathologies identified limited evidence of a labral tear prevalence of 62% (95% CI 47% to 75%) in symptomatic individuals, with moderate evidence identifying a labral tear prevalence of 54% (95% CI 41% to 66%) in asymptomatic individuals. Limited evidence demonstrated a cartilage defect prevalence of 64% (95% CI 25% to 91%) in symptomatic individuals, compared with moderate evidence of a cartilage defect prevalence of 12% (95% CI 7% to 21%) in asymptomatic individuals.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of intra-articular hip pathologies is highly variable in both symptomatic and asymptomatic populations. The prevalence of intra-articular hip pathologies appears to be higher in symptomatic individuals. However, imaging-defined intra-articular hip pathologies are also frequently seen in asymptomatic individuals, highlighting a potential discordant relationship between imaging pathology and pain.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42016035444.

Prevalence and clinical significance of hypertrophic labrum in non-dysplastic hips

BACKGROUND

Hypertrophic labrum in dysplastic hip has been frequently reported and is known as limbus in developmental dysplasia of the hip. However, hypertrophic labrum without hip dysplasia has not been reported to date. The purpose of this study was to define hypertrophic labrum and to investigate the prevalence and clinical significance of an abnormally hypertrophic labrum in non-dysplastic hips.

METHODS

Between 2007 and 2014, direct CT arthrography was performed in 464 patients (470 hips) who had chronic groin pain and positive impingement or Faber test. There were 189 male (192 hips) and 275 female (278 hips) patients. The mean age was 46.8 years (range, 16-74 years). The hypertrophic labrum was defined as a labrum wider than two standard deviations away from the mean. Surgical correlation of hypertrophic labrum was obtained in cases with hip arthroscopy by a single surgeon.

RESULTS

Seventeen hips (3.6%) were found to have a hypertrophic labrum which had a mean width of 11.2 mm (±1.1) (range, 9.8-14.1 mm). The average width (±SD) of the labrum without hypertrophy was 5.5 mm (±2.4) (range, 2-9.8 mm). Arthroscopic findings of the hypertrophic labrum included fissure and longitudinal tear at the chondrolabral junction and they were associated with chondral abnormality adjacent to the lesion.

CONCLUSIONS

Hypertrophic labrum without hip dysplasia is not rare with a high incidence of tears. Care should be taken during arthroscopic access to the hip joint in patients with this morphologic variation as iatrogenic damage can occur more easily.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Case Series; Level IV.