Korean J Radiol.  2008 Aug;9(4):375-378. 10.3348/kjr.2008.9.4.375.

MR Imaging Features of Obturator Internus Bursa of the Hip

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Radiology and Medical Research Institute, School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea. mshjy@ewha.ac.kr
  • 2Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Medical Research Institute, School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea.

Abstract

The authors report two cases with distension of the obturator internus bursa identified on MR images, and describe the location and characteristic features of obturator internus bursitis; the "boomerang"-shaped fluid distension between the obturator internus tendon and the posterior grooved surface of the ischium.

Keyword

Bursa; Magnetic resonance (MR); Pelvis, MR; Hip, MR

MeSH Terms

Adult
Bursitis/*diagnosis
*Hip Joint
Humans
*Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male

Figure

  • Fig. 1 Illustration showing anatomy of obturator internus bursa on posterior oblique (left) and left lateral pelvic CT views (right). GT = greater trochanter of femur, IS = ischial spine, I = ischium, SG = superior gemellus muscle and tendon, OI = obturator internus muscle and tendon, IG = inferior gemellus muscle and tendon, obturator internus bursa (red area)

  • Fig. 2 28-year-old man with diffuse pelvic infection and reactive bursitis of obturator internus bursa. A. Transverse fat-suppressed Gd-enhanced T1-weighted MR image shows fluid collection with enhanced thin peripheral rim (arrows) between ischium (I) and obturator internus muscle and tendon (arrowheads). Inflammation was also noted in right inguinal area, lesser pelvis, and along sciatic nerve. B. Follow-up MR image 12 days later showing complete disappearance of fluid in obturator internus bursa and of soft tissue enhancement in right pelvic area.

  • Fig. 3 33-year-old male with calcific tendinitis of obturator internus tendon and infected bursitis. A. Transverse fat-suppressed Gd-enhanced T1-weighted MR image showing boomerang-shaped obturator internus bursitis (arrows) between obturator internus muscle and posterior surface of ischium (I). Obturator internus tendon, inferior gemellus muscle, and soft tissue around sciatic nerve (arrowheads) show strong enhancement in this image. B. Sagittal fat-suppressed Gd-enhanced T1-weighted MR image demonstrating location of obturator internus bursa (arrows), which lies anterior to obturator internus or inferior gemellus tendon (arrowheads) and posterior to ischium (I). C. Transverse multidetector CT maximum intensity projection image showing high density in posterior aspect of right hip joint, which represented calcific tendinitis (arrows) along obturator internus tendon.


Reference

1. Williams A, Newell RL. Standring S, editor. Pelvic girdle, gluteal region and hip joint. Gray's Anatomy. 2005. 39th ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier;1447–1448.
2. Wunderbaldinger P, Bremer C, Schellenberger E, Cejna M, Turetschek K, Kainberger F. Imaging features of iliopsoas bursitis. Eur Radiol. 2002. 12:409–415.
3. Dunn T, Heller CA, McCarthy SW, Dos Remedios C. Anatomical study of the "trochanteric bursa". Clin Anat. 2003. 16:233–240.
4. Pfirrmann CW, Chung CB, Theumann NH, Trudell DJ, Resnick D. Greater trochanter of the hip: attachment of the abductor mechanism and a complex of three bursae-MR imaging and MR bursography in cadavers and MR imaging in asymptomatic volunteers. Radiology. 2001. 221:469–477.
5. Cho KH, Lee SM, Lee YH, Suh KJ, Kim SM, Shin MJ, et al. Non-infectious ischiogluteal bursitis: MRI findings. Korean J Radiol. 2004. 5:280–286.
6. Robinson P, White LM, Agur A, Wunder J, Bell RS. Obturator externus bursa: anatomic origin and MR imaging features of pathologic involvement. Radiology. 2003. 228:230–234.
7. Shinohara H. Gemelli and obturator internus muscles: different heads of one muscle? Anat Rec. 1995. 243:145–150.
8. Swezey RL. Obturator internus bursitis: a common factor in low back pain. Orthopedics. 1993. 16:783–785.
9. Viani RM, Bromberg K, Bradley JS. Obturator internus muscle abscess in children: report of seven cases and review. Clin Infect Dis. 1999. 28:117–122.
10. Rohde RS, Ziran BH. Obturator internus tendinitis as a source of chronic hip pain. Orthopedics. 2003. 26:425–426.
Full Text Links
  • KJR
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr