The morphological variability of the pelvic girdle muscles: a potential trap during ultrasound

Abstract

Background: The muscles present in the pelvic girdle compartment demonstrate clinically significant anatomical variation regarding both their site of attachment and additions, such as accessory heads, muscles, or tendinous slips. Many of those variations might be considered potential traps during ultrasound examination, which may result in misdiagnosis. The aim of this study was to raise awareness of such a possibility.

Materials and methods: A comprehensive search for morphological variations was performed in PubMed and NIH. Relevant papers were listed, and citation tracking was accomplished.

Results: Although several anatomical variations of pelvic girdle muscles have been presented, few studies have examined their relevance in ultrasound imaging.

Conclusions: The morphological variability of the pelvic girdle muscles does not vary from such incidence in other regions of the human body; however, further ultrasound studies are needed of the numerous morphological variants that can be found in this region.

Keywords: deep gluteal muscles; gluteal muscles; iliacus muscle; iliopsoas muscle complex; morphological variability; obturator internus muscle; pelvic girdle; piriformis muscle; psoas major; psoas minor; superficial gluteal muscles; superior gemellus m; ultrasound.