Background:The MRI manifestations of subspine impingement (SSI) other than morphologic features of anterior inferior iliac spine (AIIS) have not been extensively explored and validated.Purpose: To determine the MRI findings associated with SSI, including AIIS morphologic features, femoral distal cam, and associated soft-tissue injuries.
Materials and Methods:This is a retrospective study of symptomatic patients who underwent arthroscopic treatment for femoroacetabular impingement between December 2014 and March 2017, with preoperative MRI within 6 months before surgery. The SSI group included patients with clinical and intraoperative findings of SSI; the remaining patients comprised the non-SSI group. Preoperative MRI findings were independently assessed by two radiologists who were blinded to clinical information. Interreader agreement was assessed, and multivariable logistic regression was also used.Results: A total of 62 patients (mean age 6 standard deviation, 42.1 years 6 11.9; 38 women) were included. SSI was diagnosed in 20 of the 62 patients (32%) (mean age, 43 years 6 12); 42 patients (68%) did not have SSI (mean age, 41 years 6 10). Reader 1 detected distal cam in 16 of the 20 patients with SSI (80%) and eight of the 42 patients without SSI (19%), and reader 2 detected distal cam in 15 of the 20 patients with SSI (75%) and eight of the 42 patients without SSI (19%) (P , .001 for both). Reader 1 detected signs of impingement on the distal femoral neck (IDFN) in 18 of the 20 patients with SSI (90%) and seven of the 42 patients without SSI (16%), and reader 2 detected signs of IDFN in 13 of the 20 patients with SSI (65%) and nine of the 42 patients without SSI (21%) (P , .001 and P = .001, respectively). Reader 1 detected superior capsular edema in 15 of 20 patients with SSI (75%) and three of 42 patients without SSI (7%), and reader 2 detected superior capsular edema in 17 of 20 patients with SSI (85%) and 22 of 42 patients without SSI (52%) (P , .001 and P = .02, respectively). Distal cam was a predictor of SSI after adjustment for IDFN. Interreader agreement was substantial for distal cam (k = 0.80) and moderate for IDFN (k = 0.50).
Conclusion:Soft-tissue injuries and osseous findings other than morphologic features of the anterior inferior iliac spine were associated with subspine impingement.