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Comparative Study
. 2021 Dec 20;16(1):725.
doi: 10.1186/s13018-021-02869-6.

Comparison of magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography for bone assessment of neurogenic heterotopic ossification of the hip: a preliminary study

Raphaël Amar  1 , Tristan Thiry  2 , Marjorie Salga  3   4   5 , Dominique Safa  2 , Annaëlle Chetrit  2 , Laure Gatin  4   5   6 , Robert-Yves Carlier  2   4
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Comparison of magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography for bone assessment of neurogenic heterotopic ossification of the hip: a preliminary study

Raphaël Amar et al. J Orthop Surg Res. .

Abstract

Background: Neurogenic heterotopic ossification (NHO) is a frequent complication, often involving the hip. The functional impact may require surgical management and pre-surgical imaging assessment is necessary, usually by computed tomography (CT). We aimed to compare the performances of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and CT for bone assessment on pre-surgical imaging of the heterotopic ossifications and their features in NHO of the hip.

Methods: This single-center prospective preliminary study included all patients who underwent surgery for NHO with joint limitation from July 2019 to March 2020. All patients had a CT after biphasic iodinated solution injection and an MRI including T1-weighted, STIR and ZTE sequences. Standardized reports were completed for both exams for each patient, evaluating location, implantation and fragmentation of NHO, relation to the joint capsule and bone mineralization, then were compared.

Results: Seven patients from 32 to 70 years old (mean = 50.2 ± 17.2 years) were evaluated. NHO were bilateral in 2 patients, for a total of nine hips: six right hips and three left hips. Observed concordance rates between MRI and CT were, respectively, 94.4% for location, 100% for circumferential extension, 87.3% for implantation 88.9% for fragmentation, 77.8% for relation to the joint capsule and 66.7% for bone mineralization. It was 100% for femoral neck fracture and osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

Conclusion: This preliminary study suggests that pre-surgical MRI imaging should be considered as effective as CT for bone assessment of NHO and their features.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03832556. Registered February 6, 2019, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03832556 .

Keywords: Magnetic resonance imaging; Neurogenic heterotopic ossification; Zero Echo Time.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Qualitative evaluation of bone mineralization on CT and on MRI in T1-weighted and ZTE sequences, axial and coronal views of the femoral head. Each column shows a category of bone mineralization: M1, M2, M3 and M4
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Heterogeneous multifragmented NHO of the right hip with pseudarthrosis. Comparative sagittal images in gray scale (A) and inverted gray scale (B) on CT, ZTE sequence with inverted gray scale (C), ZTE sequence (D), T1-weighted (E) and STIR sequences (F) on MRI. Note the articular effusion in the pseudarthrosis visible on the STIR sequence
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Voluminous anterior NHO oh the right hip with contact between the heterotopic ossifications and the joint capsule (arrow). Sagittal (A, B) and axial (C) CT images and their corresponding images on MRI in ZTE sequence (D–F)
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Osteonecrosis of the femoral head in a patient with an anterior NHO of the right hip. Coronal and sagittal images in T1-weighted (A, B), STIR (C, D), and ZTE (E, F) sequences and in CT (G, H)
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Antero-internal monofragmented NHO of the right hip. 3D volumic reconstructions on ZTE sequence (A–C) and their corresponding images on CT (D–F)
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Anterior multifragmented NHO of the right hip. 3D volumic reconstructions with anterior, posterior, right and left views on ZTE sequence (A–D) and their corresponding images on CT (E–H)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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