Table of Contents
What does bone marrow edema mean on MRI?
Bone marrow edema is the term given to abnormal fluid signal seen within the bone marrow on MRI. It is a non-specific, yet important imaging finding, usually indicating the presence of underlying pathology.
What causes bone marrow edema in hip?
Joint pain in bone marrow edema syndrome of the hip is thought to be caused by an increase in intraosseous marrow pressure and joint effusion, due to impaired venous outflow. It is believed that by normalizing the bone marrow pressure and reducing joint effusion by core decompression, this will expedite pain relief.
How is bone marrow edema in the hip treated?
Treatments. In many cases, bone marrow edema will go away with rest, therapy, and pain meds like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). You may have to rest for several months to feel better. In more serious cases, your doctor may suggest other medicines and surgery.
Which MRI sequence best shows bone marrow edema?
Bone marrow edema is generally primarily identified on MRI and is best investigated using fat-suppressed T2W sequences.
How long does it take for bone marrow edema to heal?
Bone marrow edema affects people in different ways. It tends to resolve in four to 12 months following an injury. But in around 15% of cases, the problem lasts two years or more, even if you’re in otherwise perfect health.
Who treats bone marrow edema?
In case of an acute trauma or recent surgical intervention, the patient should be referred to an orthopedic surgeon (Figure 1). Clinical examination should include vital signs, signs of local infection (erythema, warmth, swelling, pain) and joint effusion.
Does bone marrow edema affect the hip on MR imaging?
Bone marrow edema affecting the hip is neither a specific MR imaging finding nor a specific diagnosis and may be encountered in a variety of hip disorders due to different etiologies. MR imaging is the modality of choice when clinical examination is suspect for hip disease and plain radiographs are normal or equivocal.
What is transient osteoporosis of the hip?
Transient osteoporosis of the hip, also known as ( transient) bone marrow edema syndrome of the hip , is a self-limiting clinical entity of unknown cause, although almost certainly a vascular basis and possible overactivity of the sympathetic system exists.
Which MRI findings are characteristic of bone marrow edema in osteopenia?
MRI demonstrates bone marrow edema pattern involving the femoral head, neck, and even intertrochanteric region without subchondral fracture nor findings of osteonecrosis 5. Typically, skeletal scintigraphy demonstrates markedly increased homogeneous uptake in the femoral head; a finding which is seen well before osteopenia is seen on plain films.
What does edema on an MRI show?
Answer. While the term “edema” implies fluid in the area, there are actually many different conditions that can cause this MRI finding. This can be seen in osteoarthritis in bone under areas where cartilage is damaged; in rheumatoid arthritis edema may precede an erosion developing; in ankylosing spondylitis edema may precede the development…