KUMJ | VOL. 16 | NO. 1 | ISSUE 61 | JAN.-MARCH, 2018
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Evaluation of Musculoskeletal Diseases of Ankle and Foot
Sharma UK, Dhungel K, Pokhrel Dinesh, Tamang S, Parajuli NP
Abstract: Background
Ankle and foot pain is a common clinical problem, that may be due to a variety of
soft tissue and osseus abnormalities. Magnetic resonance imaging plays vital role for
diagnosing internal derangement of the ankle joint, assessing soft tissue structures
around the ankle such as tendons, ligaments, nerves and osseus structures.
Method
Retrospective magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of the ankle and foot was
done in 100 patients using 0.3T and 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging. Clinical history
included pain, swelling of the ankle and foot, trauma, twisting injury, palpable mass
and difficulty in walking.
Result
Fifty two patients were male and 48 patients female aged 6 months to 70 years.
Ligaments tear were the commonest and seen in 22% patients. Tenosynovitis found
in 17%, Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) in 3%, Achilles tendon abnormality in
8%, stress fracture-9%, osteomyelitis-8%, soft tissue vascular malformation in 5%, soft
tissue and bone tumor-4%, marrow edema-20%, osteoarthritis-10%, Osteochondral
lesion of talus-8%, sinus tarsi syndrome-3%, posterior impingement-5%, plantar
fasciitis-2%, Sever disease-2%, peroneus tendon split-2%. The commonest clinical
presentation was pain and swelling of the ankle in 42 patients, twisting/inversion
injury of the ankle in 23 patients followed by traumatic injury with difficulty in
walking in 20 patients and palpable mass in 8 patients. Ligaments injury were mostly
associated with inversion/twisting injury.
Conclusion
Magnetic resonance imaging is advantageous for assessing soft tissue structures
around the ankle and foot, such as tendons, ligaments, nerves, masses and occult
osseus lesions. It provides a quick, non-invasive tool for the diagnosis of related
injuries and guide for the further treatment planning.
Keyword : Ankle, Foot, Magnetic resonance imaging, Musculoskeletal