Objective    To study MR imaging features of transient bone marrow edema syndrome of the hip so as to improve its diagnosis and differential diagnosis.     Methods    MR images of transient bone marrow edema syndrome of the hip in 13 patients were retrospectively analyzed in combination with literature review.     Results    The bilateral hips were affected in 4 patients. The single hip was affected in 9 patients

left hip in 6 and right hip in 3. The MR images demonstrated low signal intensity in all 13 patients on T

1

WI

and normal signal intensity in 2 patients

moderate or high signal intensity in 11 patients on T

2

WI

and high signal on T2 fat suppressed or STIR images in all 13 patients. The bone marrow ed

ema pattern involved the femoral head and neck in 13 hips

the femoral head and neck and the intertrochanteric region in 4 hips. A small joint effusion was observed in 8 hips on T

2

WI. The configuration of femoral heads were normal.     Conclusion    Correct judgement of MRI manifestations of transient bone marrow edema syndrome of the hip can improve its diagnosis and differential diagnosis.