Focal concavity of posterior superior acetabulum and its relation with acetabular dysplasia and retroversion in adults without advanced hip osteoarthritis

Abstract

Background: Although little is known, a limited number of three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) images of the pelvis present focal concavity of posterior superior acetabulum. The purpose of the present study was to investigate this morphologic deformity and its relation with dysplasia and retroversion in adults who were expected to have the original morphology of the acetabulum after growth.

Methods: Consecutive adult patients with hip pain who visited our hospital and had three-dimensional pelvic CT images were retrospectively analyzed after approval of the institutional review board; exclusion criterions included diseases, injuries and operations that affect the morphology of the hip including radiographic osteoarthritis Tönnis grades 2 and 3. Focal concavity of posterior superior acetabulum was evaluated by three-dimensional CT image. Acetabular dysplasia was determined by lateral center edge (LCE) angle <25°, Tönnis angle >10°, and anterior center edge (ACE) angle <25° on standing hip radiographs. Acetabular version angle was measured at the one-fourth cranial level of axial CT image. A subgroup analysis included only younger adult patients up to 50 years.

Results: The subjects analyzed were 46 men (92 hips) and 54 women (108 hips) with a median age of 57.5 (21-79) and 51.0 (26-77) years, respectively. Focal concavity of posterior superior acetabulum was observed in 13 hips; 7 patients had unilaterally, while 3 patients showed bilaterally. Among these hips, pain was observed in 8 hips but 4 hips (2 patients) were associated with injuries. This morphologic abnormality was not associated with acetabular dysplasia determined by LCE angle <25°, Tönnis angle >10° or ACE angle <25°. Of note, no acetabulum with the deformity plus dysplasia was retroverted. These findings were confirmed in a subgroup analysis including 22 men (44 hips) and 27 women (54 hips) with a median age of 31.0 (21-50) and 41.0 (26-50) years, respectively.

Conclusions: Focal concavity of posterior superior acetabulum could be a rare morphologic abnormality of acetabular formation independent of lateral or anterior dysplasia or retroversion.

Fig. 1

A posterior view of three-dimensional pelvic CT image in a 52-year-old woman, showing focal concavity of posterior superior acetabulum as indicated by two arrows

Fig. 2

Relation between focal concavity of posterior superior acetabulum and acetabular dysplasia in all subjects. Focal concavity of posterior superior acetabulum was evaluated by three-dimensional CT image. Acetabular dysplasia was determined by lateral center edge angle <25°, Tönnis angle >10°, or anterior center edge angle <25° on standing pelvic radiographs

Fig. 3

Relation between acetabular dysplasia and retroversion in all subjects with focal concavity of posterior superior acetabulum. Focal concavity of posterior superior acetabulum was evaluated by three-dimensional CT image. Acetabular dysplasia was determined by lateral center edge angle <25°, Tönnis angle >10°, or anterior center edge angle <25° on standing pelvic radiographs. Acetabular retroversion was judged by version angle <0° at the one-fourth cranial level of axial CT image

Fig. 4

Relation between focal concavity of posterior superior acetabulum and acetabular dysplasia in subjects at 50 years or younger. Focal concavity of posterior superior acetabulum was evaluated by three-dimensional CT image. Acetabular dysplasia was determined by lateral center edge angle <25°, Tönnis angle >10°, or anterior center edge angle <25° on standing pelvic radiographs

Fig. 5

Relation between acetabular dysplasia and retroversion in subjects at 50 years or younger with focal concavity of posterior superior acetabulum. Focal concavity of posterior superior acetabulum was evaluated by three-dimensional CT image. Acetabular dysplasia was determined by lateral center edge angle <25°, Tönnis angle >10°, or anterior center edge angle <25° on standing pelvic radiographs. Acetabular retroversion was judged by version angle <0° at the one-fourth cranial level of axial CT image