• Carolyn M Sofka, Ronald S Adler, and Martha A Danon.
• Department of Radiology and Imaging, Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 E 70th St, New York, NY 10021, USA. sofkac@hss.edu
• J Ultrasound Med. 2006 Oct 1;25(10):1321-6.

ObjectiveThe purpose of this series was to describe the improved conspicuity in the sonographic appearance of acetabular labral injuries during routine sonographically guided intra-articular injections.MethodsSonographic examinations of patients undergoing routine sonographically guided intra-articular hip injections were reviewed for evidence of labral injuries (n=21). Sonographic examinations were then correlated with magnetic resonance images of the ipsilateral hip when available (n=14).ResultsBefore injection, 13 acetabular labra had linear or irregular hypoechoic clefts or fissures through the normally hyperechoic fibrocartilaginous labrum, thought to represent tears. Eight of the labra showed a more globular alteration in morphologic characteristics, with diffuse thickening and irregularity. During intra-articular injection, the visualized injected fluid outlined the labrum, yielding a "sonoarthrographic effect," providing a fluid interface along the labral boundaries, and confirming the presence of a tear by imbibition of injected material into the defect with a resultant subjective improvement in the labral injury.ConclusionsEvaluating the labrum after injection may improve visualization of labral injuries, as a result of greater labral conspicuity.

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