Symptomatic herniation pits of the femoral neck: anatomic and clinical study.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the pathogenesis of herniation pits of the femoral neck, which are frequently considered a normal variant, and to describe the imaging abnormalities of such pits in three symptomatic patients. The changing relationship between the joint capsule and the iliopsoas muscle appears to be important in the pathogenesis of the herniation pit, especially in athletic persons. In some cases, these pits may enlarge, the overlying cortex may fracture, and significant clinical manifestations may be apparent.