Hip MRI is a modern diagnostic technique using electromagnetic waves, which allows to study the anatomical structure, assess the condition of hard and soft-tissue structures of the hip and iliac joint. The procedure is used to visualize injuries, tumors, and developmental abnormalities. It is informative in inflammatory, degenerative and autoimmune processes involving soft tissues, ligaments, joint cavities. To improve the visualization of pathological foci, it can be carried out with contrast.
Indications
With the help of hip MRI, injuries and the consequences of injuries are visualized: fractures of the acetabulum, femoral head and neck, epiphyseolysis of the femoral head in children, cartilage damage, ruptures of tendons, ligaments and muscles, synovitis and hemarthrosis. With the help of the technique, congenital anomalies are detected, for example, hip dysplasia. The procedure allows to diagnose degenerative-dystrophic processes: foci of degeneration, osteonecrosis, early manifestations of osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. During MRI, primary tumors, metastatic lesions and tumor-like processes (volumetric formations, cysts) are detected both the joint itself and the tissues adjacent to it in the early stages of development.
Manipulation is used to diagnose inflammatory (severe tendinitis, bursitis) and infectious processes (for example, chlamydial arthritis), rheumatological pathology (rheumatoid arthritis). The procedure is prescribed in order to determine the cause of the pain syndrome, decrease the amplitude of movements, joint contracture. Hip MRI is performed when clarifying previously identified changes, as well as during observation after endoprosthetics and arthroscopy.
Contraindications
Absolute contraindications include ferromagnetic metal structures (plates, screws, spokes) and metal implants (for example, vascular clips), which, under the influence of a magnetic field, can heat up or shift in the patient’s body. Titanium metal structures are not a contraindication. MRI should not be performed in the presence of insulin pumps, pacemakers, cochlear implants and neurostimulators, since the magnetic field can disrupt the operation of electronic devices. The study is not prescribed for severe obesity (more than 130-200 kg, depending on the load capacity of the tomograph).
Relative contraindications to hip MRI are the first trimester of pregnancy, fear of enclosed space (sedatives may be offered to the patient) and age up to 5 years. It is not recommended to manipulate patients with epilepsy, mental disorders accompanied by involuntary movements, intense pain syndrome, complicating the preservation of immobility in the tunnel of the tomograph. If an MRI with contrast is assigned to a nursing mother, on the day of manipulation, feeding is stopped and resumed only after two days. Contrast MRI is performed with caution in patients with impaired renal function due to the slow removal of contrast from the body and possible intoxication.
Preparation
Manipulation does not require special preparation. When using contrast, you need to stop eating a few hours before the study. Contrast enhancement involves testing for intolerance to gadolinium preparations. In case of a negative result, the contrast is administered intravenously via a catheter, which can remain in the vein in case of repeated or continuous administration of the drug. They wait a few minutes until the contrast evenly colors the tissues, then hip MRI is performed. A positive result of a skin test involves conducting an examination without a contrast agent.
They come to the procedure in loose, comfortable clothes without metal inserts. In some clinics, patients are given disposable kits for the study. Immediately before the manipulation, they take off all metal objects and jewelry, watches, hearing aids, orthodontic and orthopedic devices, removable prostheses, leave bank cards and other items in the next office that may affect the operation of the device. Warn the doctor about the presence of electronic devices and metal structures in the body.
Methodology of conducting
During the scanning process, the patient must remain motionless, since the quality of the images depends on it. The patient is lying on the mobile tomograph table in a supine position. For comfort, earplugs (headphones) are inserted into the ears. The room is maintained at a comfortable temperature, there is lighting inside the tunnel. The device provides two-way voice communication of the patient with the medical staff. The mobile table is automatically passed through the tunnel, sensors record the results, process them and transmit them to a computer that builds a three-dimensional image and displays it on the screen. Hip MRI does not cause unpleasant sensations, its duration ranges from 30 minutes to an hour.
Decryption is carried out within a few hours. After preparing the documentation, the patient receives pictures and a doctor’s opinion, certified by the signature and seal of the medical institution. At the request of the patient, the data can be transferred to any digital medium or sent to him by e-mail.