Imaging the ideal sphere of the hip joint by mostly planar MRI sequences and reconstruction planes (usually oblique coronal and oblique axial) leads to severe distortion of the image of the labrum, particularly in the regions of interest - at the transition between the superior to anterior resp. superior to posterior part. In order to overcome this discrepancy and inspired by the literature /1-9/ a 3D sequence with radial reconstructions of the double oblique plane of the acetabular labrum was included into all our hip...

The acetabular labrum – a thin fibro-cartilaginous structure, is an important and frequently examined part of the hip joint. It enlarges the joint surface of the acetabulum and works as a seal of the edge of the joint space, enabling the accumulation of a thin layer of joint fluid in it. However, its small dimensions and its oblique course along the acetabular rim around the head of the femur resembling the line of the ecliptic around the Earth, makes it a difficult imaging target with...

Our post-processing procedure has been developed for both 1,5T and 3T Siemens MRI scanners with standard software, for the examination both with and without intraarticular contrast medium administration. The planes of the acetabular labrum and acetabular rim and the set of planes of radial reconstructions will obviously be the same in any MRI scanner, yet the way to achieve these planes may vary according to the software. The radial reconstruction algorithm only makes sense if applied to the double oblique true plane of the labrum...

Radial multiplanar reconstructions of a 3D MR sequence in the plane of the acetabular labrum is a highly rewarding method, which - once mastered - takes only a few minutes and displays the labrum in a very accurate way irrespective of the position. The method also facilitates communication with orthopedic surgeons when reporting the topography of acetabular pathologic findings. The morphology and extent of acetabular ruptures can be more easily understood by continuous radial assessment of the same double oblique plane of the labrum.

Aubry S, Bélanger D, Ciguére C, Lavigne M: Magnetic resonance arthrography of the hip: technique and spectrum of findings in younger patients. Insights Imaging (2010) 1: 72-82. Chopra A, Grainger AJ, Dube B et al.: Comparative reliability and diagnostic performance of conventional 3T magnetic resonance imaging and 1,5T magnetic resonance arthrography for the evaluation of internal derangement of the hip. Eur Radiol (2018) 28: 963-971. Ghebontni L, Roger B, El-khoury J, Brasseur JL, Grenier PA: MR arthrography of the hip: normal intraarticular structures and common...

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