Low SBL, Toms AP. Calcification of the linea aspera: A systematic narrative review.
Eur J Radiol Open 2019;
6:101-105. [PMID:
30815518 PMCID:
PMC6378843 DOI:
10.1016/j.ejro.2018.12.002]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2017] [Revised: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Calcification at the linea aspera is a differential for hip/thigh pain.
Imaging should commence with plain radiographs, and also include the distal femur.
Smaller calcific deposits can be obscured on anteroposterior projection, necessitating additional views.
Calcific tendo-enthesopathy is associated with osteolysis but no soft tissue mass.
This review aims to consolidate the published demographics, clinical and radiological features of calcific tendonitis affecting the linea aspera. Using the PRISMA protocol, 55 clinical cases were extracted from 19 shortlisted papers. In a patient presenting with thigh and/or hip pain, radiologic evaluation should commence with plain radiographs; subsequent cross-sectional imaging, if necessary. Our review of the literature indicates that calcific tendonitis can be safely diagnosed when intratendinous calcification is observed in the region of the linea aspera with cortical erosion but no discrete soft tissue mass.
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