Imaging of soft tissue abnormalities about the hip.

Soft tissue abnormalities about the hip represent a common clinical problem. Although the signs and symptoms of some of these abnormalities are clinically evident, other entities are frequently overlooked. This article provides an overview and discusses the role of major imaging modalities, especially MR imaging, the primary modality for evaluation of many soft-tissue abnormalities. An introduction to fundamental imaging anatomy and functional roles of soft tissue structures about the hip is provided, recognizing their importance in making the correct diagnosis. Intra-articular and extra-articular soft tissue abnormalities reviewed systematically according to their mechanism of injury and anatomic or functional compartments.