Ischiofemoral impingement syndrome: Spectrum of MRI findings in comparison to normal subjects

Objective

To evaluate the MRI findings of patients with ischiofemoral impingement in comparison to healthy subjects.

Materials and methods

The study included 34 subjects; 14 patients clinically suspected to have ischiofemoral impingement and twenty volunteer subjects used as a control group. The MRI images were evaluated for both hip joints for two measurable parameters; the ischiofemoral space (IFS) and the quadratus femoris space (QFS). The quadratus femoris muscles were evaluated for; muscle edema, tear, or muscle atrophy. Statistical analysis was performed with the (Minitab Ver.16). The Paired t-test and ANOVA test were used to analyze differences of the distance measurements in each side of the patient group as well as both sides in the control group. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine optimal threshold values of IFS and QFS using (MedCalc software, version 12.7.8.0.).

Results

There were statistical differences between affected hip and healthy hip regarding IFS and QFS (P = 0.000) associated with QF muscle changes ranged from focal edema to partial tear in the affected joints.

Conclusion

Ischiofemoral impingement is an uncommon cause of hip pain. Our study illustrates the MR spectrum of IFS, QFS and quadratus femoris muscle abnormalities.