Identification of Acetabular Labral Pathological Changes in Asymptomatic Volunteers Using Optimized, Noncontrast 1.5-T Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Abstract

Utilizing an optimized, noncontrast 1.5-T MRI protocol, we report the previously undescribed prevalence of acetabular labral pathological abnormalities and paralabral cysts in a young, asymptomatic population. This emphasizes the importance of correlating patient symptoms with history and physical examination when evaluating patients with hip pain and radiographic abnormalities as defined by MRI criteria. These data demonstrate that labral tears can occur without symptoms.