Musculoskeletal Imaging

Transient regional osteoporosis

a general term for conditions that share the features of rapidly developing osteoporosis affecting periarticular bone; self-limiting and reversible nature; and the absence of clear-cut evidence of inciting events, such as trauma and immobilization. Two important and possibly related diseases in this category are transient osteoporosis of the hip and regional migratory osteoporosis (Fig.1).

DR

Fig.1

a. AP radiograph of the pelvis demonstrates osteopenia of the left hip as compared to the right. b. Coronal fat-suppressed inversion recovery MR image at the same time as (a) demonstrates increased signal intensity in the left femoral head and neck owing to bone marrow oedema. c. Follow-up AP radiograph two months later (when hip pain had improved) demonstrates improved radiodensity in the left hip. d. Coronal fat-suppressed proton-density-weighted MR image obtained three and one half months after (b) demonstrates normal marrow signal intensity within the femoral heads bilaterally.

Transient regional osteoporosis, Fig.1 (a)		Transient regional osteoporosis, Fig.1 (b)		Transient regional osteoporosis, Fig.1 (c)
Transient regional osteoporosis, Fig.1 (d)