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Obturator internus syndrome

Case contributed by Varun Babu
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Left hip pain. MRI requested to rule out avascular necrosis.

Patient Data

Age: 40
Gender: Female

MRI of pelvis & Lt hip jt

mri

PD and STIR hyperintense signals are seen along the tendinous fibers of left obturator internus with a small T1/T2 hypointense lesion within the obturator internus bursa, favoring calcific tendinitis. 

The study of the hip joint is unremarkable with no features of septic arthritis or avascular necrosis. 

Case Discussion

Hip pain can be attributed to a number of causes in and around the hip joint and understanding the anatomy of the hip joint and it's associated bursae will help solve some less common causes of hip pain. 

Obturator internus bursa is one of the less commonly visualized bursa among the 20 odd bursae around the hip joint. It is typified by it's classical 'boomerang' appearance on axial images and appears on MRI only when it is inflamed. 

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