Adult Image of the Week: High-Resolution Hip Imaging at 3T

This week’s featured MSK case showcases a 3T MRI of the hip in a 34-year-old subject, acquired on a MAGNETOM Skyra system using syngo MR XA30 software. The scan used an Inkspace Imaging Silhouette MR coil with two 12-channel pads placed anteriorly letf-right adjacent and combined with under table spine coil elements (SP3,4) coil configuration, to yield exceptional SNR and anatomical coverage forin pelvic and proximal femur assessments.

Key Imaging Details:

• Sequence: TSE 2D – *tse2d1_17

• Voxel Size: 0.7 x 0.7 x 3.0 mm

• Matrix: 486 x 576 x 24

• Slice Spacing: 3.0 mm

• TR/TE: 4360 ms / 82 ms

• Flip Angle: 150°

• ETL: 17

• Percent Sampling: 60%

• Acquisition Time: 1:05 min

Why It Matters:

This protocol delivers high in-plane resolution critical for evaluating subtle labral pathology, cartilage defects, and early avascular necrosis. The combination of fine voxel size and optimized flip angle ensures excellent tissue contrast enables excellent and delineation of joint structures.

Clinical Hip Tip:

When imaging the hip for labral or cartilage evaluation, ensure sub-millimeterric in-plane resolution (<1 mm) and maintain slice spacing below 3 mm to reduce partial volume effects.