Yeungnam Univ J Med.  2021 Apr;38(2):157-159. 10.12701/yujm.2020.00500.

Ultrasonographic and magnetic resonance images of a gluteus maximus tear

• Kim JB
• Lee W
• Chang MC

• KMID: 2515191
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12701/yujm.2020.00500

Abstract

The diagnosis of a gluteal muscle tear or strain is based on clinical findings. However, for an accurate diagnosis, imaging examinations are also needed. Herein, we describe the case of a patient with a gluteus maximus muscle tear confirmed by ultrasonography (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A 58-year-old woman complained of dull pain in the left lateral gluteal region that she had been experiencing for 8 days. In the axial US image, retraction of the left gluteus maximus muscle was noted around its insertion site in the iliotibial band. On an MRI, a partial tear in the left gluteus maximus was observed at its insertion site in the left iliotibial band. In addition, fluid infiltration due to edema and hemorrhage was observed. A partial left gluteal muscle tear was diagnosed. The patient was treated with physical therapy at the involved region and oral analgesics. She reported relief from the pain after 1 month of treatment. Based on this experience, we recommend US or MRI for accurate diagnosis of muscle tear or strain.

Keyword

Gluteus maximus; Magnetic resonance imaging; Muscle tear; Muscle train; Ultrasonography

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Axial ultrasound image of the torn left gluteal muscles (arrow). Gmax, gluteus maximus; Gmed, gluteus medius.

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  Fig. 2. (A, B) Axial T2- and gadolinium-enhanced fat-suppressed T1-weighted magnetic resonance images (MRIs) at the level of the lateral facet of the greater trochanter of the left femur. A partial tear of the left gluteus maximus muscle at its insertion site in the left iliotibial band is observed (arrows). Fluid infiltration around the site of the tear (arrowhead), suggesting edema or hemorrhage, is also observed. (C, D) Coronal T2- and fat-suppressed T2-weighted MRIs at the level of the lateral facet of the greater trochanter of the left femur. There is a partial tear at the myotendinous junction of the left gluteus maximus and iliotibial band (arrows) with intramuscular feathery fluid infiltration in the left gluteus maximus (arrowheads) suggesting grade 2 muscle strain.

Reference

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