{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,22]],"date-time":"2026-10-22T17:22:48Z","timestamp":1792689768634,"version":"4.5.0"},"reference-count":50,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"11","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,4]],"date-time":"2026-06-04T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1780531200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Diagnostics"],"abstract":"<jats:p>When assessing hip pain in athletes, it is important to focus on the extra-articular soft tissues that may clinically mimic joint pathology. One such extra-articular structure is the synovial bursa. Bursitis can clinically be misdiagnosed as joint-, tendon- or muscle-related pain. These pathological processes are a result of inflammation that is often secondary to acute trauma, overuse injuries, arthritis, or infection. Traumatic and overuse hip bursitis occur frequently in amateur and professional athletes and clinical presentation is often nonspecific. After clinical assessment, imaging plays an important role in diagnosis and in work-up of these lesions. Ultrasonography (US) is being increasingly used in the assessment of the hip because of the wide availability of US machines, the lower cost, and the unique real-time imaging capability which allows both static and dynamic evaluation as well as guidance of interventional procedures such as fluid aspiration and steroid injection. In order to obtain a correct diagnosis, an efficient US examination requires a thorough understanding of hip anatomy. In this setting, a structured approach based on identification of important US landmarks and compartmentalization of hip anatomy can significantly simplify the task. Sports physicians must be aware about the diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities offered by US in order to expedite rapid referral to a musculoskeletal specialist who can perform a point-of-care US examination of the hip by using a structured diagnostic approach. The purpose of this narrative review is to illustrate both the normal and pathological features of anterior and lateral hip compartments bursae using schematic diagrams and corresponding US images. We will concentrate on sport-related bursitis, of which we will discuss the etiology, clinic and principles of care management. Our aim is to promote the acquisition of these concepts in sports medicine in order to improve patient outcomes.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/diagnostics16111731","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,4]],"date-time":"2026-06-04T11:52:30Z","timestamp":1780573950000},"page":"1731","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":2,"title":["Anatomy and Pathology of Anterior and Lateral Hip Compartments Bursae: An Ultrasound Structured Approach in Sports Medicine"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"16","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-6608-6252","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Antonio","family":"Corvino","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Medical, Movement and Wellbeing Sciences Department, University of Naples \u201cParthenope\u201d, 80133 Naples, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-4630-1090","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Corrado","family":"Tagliati","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"AST Ancona, Ospedale di Comunit\u00e0 Maria Montessori di Chiaravalle, 60033 Chiaravalle, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-2576-2039","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Vincenzo","family":"Ricci","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Unit, Luigi Sacco University Hospital, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, 20157 Milan, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-2593-8148","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Fabio","family":"Corvino","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Vascular and Interventional Radiology Department, Cardarelli Hospital, 80131 Naples, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-5948-1414","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Domenico","family":"Tafuri","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Medical, Movement and Wellbeing Sciences Department, University of Naples \u201cParthenope\u201d, 80133 Naples, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-0188-1236","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Orlando","family":"Catalano","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Radiology Unit, Istituto Diagnostico Varelli, 80126 Naples, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-3458-5468","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Giulio","family":"Cocco","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University \u201cG. d\u2019Annunzio\u201d, 66100 Chieti, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,4]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"44","DOI":"10.1007\/s40134-016-0169-5","article-title":"Economics of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound","volume":"4","author":"Bureau","year":"2016","journal-title":"Curr. Radiol. Rep."},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"867","DOI":"10.1148\/rg.2018170104","article-title":"US Assessment of Sports-related Hip Injuries","volume":"38","author":"Lungu","year":"2018","journal-title":"Radiographics"},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"199","DOI":"10.1016\/j.csm.2005.12.001","article-title":"Clinical examination of the athletic hip","volume":"25","author":"Braly","year":"2006","journal-title":"Clin. Sports Med."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1717","DOI":"10.1148\/rg.2016160012","article-title":"Sports Injuries about the Hip: What the Radiologist Should Know","volume":"36","author":"Hegazi","year":"2016","journal-title":"Radiographics"},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"351","DOI":"10.1148\/radiol.2016151348","article-title":"Hip Imaging in Athletes: Sports Imaging Series","volume":"280","author":"Agten","year":"2016","journal-title":"Radiology"},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"445","DOI":"10.1007\/s00256-017-2577-x","article-title":"Ultrasound evaluation of bursae: Anatomy and pathological appearances","volume":"46","author":"Ruangchaijatuporn","year":"2017","journal-title":"Skelet. Radiol."},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"22","DOI":"10.4103\/2156-7514.80374","article-title":"Imaging of the bursae","volume":"1","author":"Hirji","year":"2011","journal-title":"J. Clin. Imaging Sci."},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"969","DOI":"10.1016\/j.rcl.2007.08.005","article-title":"MR imaging of cysts, ganglia, and bursae about the knee","volume":"45","author":"Beaman","year":"2007","journal-title":"Radiol. Clin. N. Am."},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"433","DOI":"10.1016\/j.rcl.2012.10.005","article-title":"Imaging of cysts and bursae about the knee","volume":"51","author":"Steinbach","year":"2013","journal-title":"Radiol. Clin. N. Am."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1888","DOI":"10.1148\/rg.2016160068","article-title":"Soft-Tissue Infections and Their Imaging Mimics: From Cellulitis to Necrotizing Fasciitis","volume":"36","author":"Hayeri","year":"2016","journal-title":"Radiographics"},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"335","DOI":"10.1007\/s40477-023-00869-2","article-title":"Musculoskeletal disorders in padel: From biomechanics to sonography","volume":"27","author":"Cocco","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Ultrason."},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"409","DOI":"10.1007\/s003300101041","article-title":"Imaging features of iliopsoas bursitis","volume":"12","author":"Wunderbaldinger","year":"2002","journal-title":"Eur. Radiol."},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"546","DOI":"10.1002\/jcu.22088","article-title":"Sonographic examination of the buttock","volume":"41","author":"Lee","year":"2013","journal-title":"J. Clin. Ultrasound"},{"key":"ref_14","first-page":"e94693","article-title":"Tuberculous Trochanteric Bursitis Mimicking Hydatidosis: A Rare Case Report","volume":"17","author":"Amahtil","year":"2025","journal-title":"Cureus"},{"key":"ref_15","first-page":"20190077","article-title":"Multifocal primary musculoskeletal tuberculosis in nonimmunocompromised patient from nonendemic area","volume":"6","author":"Ali","year":"2020","journal-title":"BJR Case Rep."},{"key":"ref_16","first-page":"e79201","article-title":"Tuberculous Trochanteritis: An Uncommon Presentation of Primary Tuberculosis Without Articular or Systemic Involvement","volume":"17","author":"Boubcher","year":"2025","journal-title":"Cureus"},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"14","DOI":"10.1136\/ard.2005.037382","article-title":"Interobserver reliability in musculoskeletal ultrasonography: Results from a \u201cTeach the Teachers\u201d rheumatologist course","volume":"65","author":"Naredo","year":"2006","journal-title":"Ann. Rheum. Dis."},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"164518","DOI":"10.1155\/2010\/164518","article-title":"Is musculoskeletal ultrasonography an operator-dependent method or a fast and reliably teachable diagnostic tool? Interreader agreements of three ultrasonographers with different training levels","volume":"2010","author":"Ohrndorf","year":"2010","journal-title":"Int. J. Rheumatol."},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"5","DOI":"10.1007\/s00256-018-2970-0","article-title":"Imaging bicipitoradial bursitis: A pictorial essay","volume":"48","author":"Yap","year":"2019","journal-title":"Skelet. Radiol."},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e05201","DOI":"10.1016\/j.heliyon.2020.e05201","article-title":"Interobserver and intraobserver variability in magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of patients with suspected disc herniation","volume":"6","author":"Hajiahmadi","year":"2020","journal-title":"Heliyon"},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"633","DOI":"10.1089\/jwh.2016.5889","article-title":"Demystifying the Clinical Diagnosis of Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome in Women","volume":"26","author":"Ganderton","year":"2017","journal-title":"J. Women\u2019s Health"},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1850","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ejrad.2014.06.009","article-title":"Greater trochanter pain syndrome: A descriptive MR imaging study","volume":"83","author":"Klontzas","year":"2014","journal-title":"Eur. J. Radiol."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"45","DOI":"10.1007\/s40477-019-00376-3","article-title":"Utility of a gel stand-off pad in the detection of Doppler signal on focal nodular lesions of the skin","volume":"23","author":"Corvino","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Ultrasound"},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"419","DOI":"10.1016\/j.csm.2016.02.009","article-title":"Iliopsoas: Pathology, Diagnosis, and Treatment","volume":"35","author":"Anderson","year":"2016","journal-title":"Clin. Sports Med."},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"13","DOI":"10.1055\/s-2008-1067934","article-title":"Iliopsoas musculotendinous unit","volume":"12","author":"Blankenbaker","year":"2008","journal-title":"Semin. Musculoskelet. Radiol."},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"513","DOI":"10.2214\/AJR.15.14523","article-title":"Ultrasound of the Groin: Techniques, Pathology, and Pitfalls","volume":"205","author":"Jacobson","year":"2015","journal-title":"AJR Am. J. Roentgenol."},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Bianchi, S., and Martinoli, C. (2007). Ultrasound of the Musculoskeletal System, Springer.","DOI":"10.1007\/978-3-540-28163-4"},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Silvestri, E., Muda, A., and Orlandi, D. (2015). Thigh Muscles\u2014Iliopsoas. Ultrasound Anatomy of Lower Limb Muscles, Springer International Publishing.","DOI":"10.1007\/978-3-319-09480-9"},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"271","DOI":"10.2165\/00007256-199825040-00005","article-title":"Iliopsoas bursitis and tendinitis. A review","volume":"25","author":"Johnston","year":"1998","journal-title":"Sports Med."},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"41","DOI":"10.1055\/s-2004-823014","article-title":"Imaging of hip and groin injuries in athletes","volume":"8","author":"Overdeck","year":"2004","journal-title":"Semin. Musculoskelet. Radiol."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"41","DOI":"10.1016\/0049-0172(90)90093-U","article-title":"Iliopsoas bursitis: Clinical features, radiographic findings, and disease associations","volume":"20","author":"Toohey","year":"1990","journal-title":"Semin. Arthritis Rheum."},{"key":"ref_32","unstructured":"Miller, M.D., and Thompson, S.R. (2015). Hip and Pelvis Overuse Syndromes. DeLee and Drez\u2019s Orthopaedic Sports Medicine, Elsevier Saunders."},{"key":"ref_33","first-page":"1642","article-title":"The Use of Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound for the Evaluation of the Iliopsoas in the Anterior Hip: A Guide for Rehabilitation Providers","volume":"19","author":"Manske","year":"2024","journal-title":"Int. J. Sports Phys. Ther."},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2149","DOI":"10.1016\/j.radcr.2020.08.036","article-title":"Iliopsoas bursitis: The role of diagnostic imaging in detection, differential diagnosis and treatment","volume":"15","author":"Corvino","year":"2020","journal-title":"Radiol. Case Rep."},{"key":"ref_35","first-page":"462","article-title":"Inflammatory changes of hip synovial structures in polymyalgia rheumatica","volume":"23","author":"Cantini","year":"2005","journal-title":"Clin. Exp. Rheumatol."},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"183","DOI":"10.1016\/j.mric.2012.09.002","article-title":"MR imaging and ultrasound correlation of hip pathologic conditions","volume":"21","author":"Friedman","year":"2013","journal-title":"Magn. Reson. Imaging Clin. N. Am."},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"563","DOI":"10.1007\/s40477-020-00475-6","article-title":"Usefulness of doppler techniques in the diagnosis of peripheral iatrogenic pseudoaneurysms secondary to minimally invasive interventional and surgical procedures: Imaging findings and diagnostic performance study","volume":"23","author":"Corvino","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Ultrasound"},{"key":"ref_38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e24","DOI":"10.2106\/JBJS.RVW.24.00162","article-title":"Iliopsoas Injections: A Systematic Review of Patient Outcomes and Progression to Surgery","volume":"13","author":"Katz","year":"2025","journal-title":"JBJS Rev."},{"key":"ref_39","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"15","DOI":"10.15557\/JoU.2023.0003","article-title":"Ultrasound-guided Musculoskeletal Interventional Procedures Around the Hip: A Practical Guide","volume":"23","author":"Albano","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Ultrason."},{"key":"ref_40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"146","DOI":"10.17161\/kjm.vol17.22757","article-title":"Clinical Efficacy of Ultrasound-guided Iliopsoas Corticosteriod Injection for Hip Pain","volume":"17","author":"Smith","year":"2024","journal-title":"Kans. J. Med."},{"key":"ref_41","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1083","DOI":"10.2214\/AJR.12.10038","article-title":"Sonography of greater trochanteric pain syndrome and the rarity of primary bursitis","volume":"201","author":"Long","year":"2013","journal-title":"AJR Am. J. Roentgenol."},{"key":"ref_42","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1107","DOI":"10.1007\/s40279-015-0336-5","article-title":"Gluteal Tendinopathy: A Review of Mechanisms, Assessment and Management","volume":"45","author":"Grimaldi","year":"2015","journal-title":"Sports Med."},{"key":"ref_43","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"610","DOI":"10.5301\/hipint.5000154","article-title":"Trochanteric bursitis: The last great misnomer","volume":"24","author":"Board","year":"2014","journal-title":"Hip Int."},{"key":"ref_44","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1584","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ultrasmedbio.2020.03.008","article-title":"Ultrasound Definitions and Findings in Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome: A Systematic Review","volume":"46","author":"Rathleff","year":"2020","journal-title":"Ultrasound Med. Biol."},{"key":"ref_45","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"191","DOI":"10.1177\/1941738110366829","article-title":"Lateral hip pain in an athletic population: Differential diagnosis and treatment options","volume":"2","author":"Grumet","year":"2010","journal-title":"Sports Health"},{"key":"ref_46","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"941","DOI":"10.1111\/1756-185X.14149","article-title":"Greater trochanteric pain syndrome in women: Analysis of magnetic resonance, sagittal alignment, muscular strength and endurance of the hip and trunk","volume":"24","author":"Miyasaki","year":"2021","journal-title":"Int. J. Rheum. Dis."},{"key":"ref_47","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"W313","DOI":"10.2214\/AJR.12.9443","article-title":"Ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injections for treatment of greater trochanteric pain syndrome: Greater trochanter bursa versus subgluteus medius bursa","volume":"201","author":"McEvoy","year":"2013","journal-title":"AJR Am. J. Roentgenol."},{"key":"ref_48","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"393","DOI":"10.1007\/s00296-018-3938-z","article-title":"Outcomes and cost-effectiveness of ultrasound-guided injection of the trochanteric bursa","volume":"38","author":"Mitchell","year":"2018","journal-title":"Rheumatol. Int."},{"key":"ref_49","first-page":"e85859","article-title":"Management of Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome: A Narrative Review","volume":"17","author":"Gill","year":"2025","journal-title":"Cureus"},{"key":"ref_50","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"69","DOI":"10.1016\/j.physio.2024.01.001","article-title":"Exercise compared to a control condition or other conservative treatment options in patients with Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials","volume":"123","author":"Kjeldsen","year":"2024","journal-title":"Physiotherapy"}],"container-title":["Diagnostics"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2075-4418\/16\/11\/1731\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,4]],"date-time":"2026-06-04T12:12:24Z","timestamp":1780575144000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2075-4418\/16\/11\/1731"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,4]]},"references-count":50,"journal-issue":{"issue":"11","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,6]]}},"alternative-id":["diagnostics16111731"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/diagnostics16111731","relation":{},"ISSN":["2075-4418"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2075-4418","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,4]]}}}