Abstract
Bone marrow edema (BME) represents a frequent and easily detected MR imaging finding
that is recognized as a common source of pain. It is considered a nonspecific finding
that constitutes a central component of a wide spectrum of pathologies affecting the
hip joint, showing high variability in terms of prognosis and treatment requirements.
Solid knowledge of the various BME patterns and associated imaging findings indicative
of these conditions can aid in differentiation. Additionally, correlation with clinical
and laboratory data are essential for arriving at a final diagnosis in several cases.
In this review, we describe the disease characteristics and imaging findings and also
highlight the differential diagnostic clues regarding common hip disorders associated
with BME including avascular necrosis, transient osteoporosis, stress injuries, and
infectious/inflammatory disorders.
Keywords
bone marrow edema - hip - avascular necrosis - transient osteoporosis - MR imaging/diagnosis
