HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) CME Test (opens in a new window) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Ashman, C. J. Articles by Yu, J. S. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Ashman, C. J. Articles by Yu, J. S. Related Collections Magnetic Resonance Imaging Musculoskeletal Radiology

Forefoot Pain Involving the Metatarsal Region: Differential Diagnosis with MR Imaging¹

¹ From the Department of Radiology, Ohio State University Medical Center, S209 Rhodes Hall, Columbus, OH 43210. Presented as an education exhibit at the 2000 RSNA scientific assembly. Received March 16, 2001; revision requested April 3 and received June 19; accepted July 10. Address correspondence to C.J.A. (e-mail: cajaas@yahoo.com).

Many disorders produce discomfort in the metatarsal region of the forefoot. These disorders include traumatic lesions of the soft tissues and bones (eg, turf toe, plantar plate disruption, sesamoiditis, stress fracture, stress response), Freiberg infraction, infection, arthritis, tendon disorders (eg, tendinosis, tenosynovitis, tendon rupture), nonneoplastic soft-tissue masses (eg, ganglia, bursitis, granuloma, Morton neuroma), and, less frequently, soft-tissue and bone neoplasms. Prior to the advent of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, many of these disorders were not diagnosed noninvasively, and radiologic involvement in the evaluation of affected patients was limited. However, MR imaging has proved useful in detecting the numerous soft-tissue and early bone and joint processes that occur in this portion of the foot but are not depicted or as well characterized with other imaging modalities. Frequently, MR imaging allows a specific diagnosis based on the location, signal intensity characteristics, and morphologic features of the abnormality. Consequently, MR imaging is increasingly being used to evaluate patients with forefoot complaints. Radiologists should be familiar with the differential diagnosis and MR imaging features of disorders that can produce discomfort in this region.

Index Terms: Arthritis, 465.70 • Foot, fractures, 465.415 • Foot, infection, 465.21 • Foot, MR, 465.1214, 465.121413 • Foot, neoplasms, 465.30 Joints, diseases, 465.70 • Joints, MR, 465.1214

This article has been cited by other articles:

				H. Torshizy, T. H. Hughes, D. Trudell, and D. Resnick Anatomic Features of Metatarsal Heads That Simulate Erosive Disease: Cadaveric Study Using CT, Radiography, and Dissection with Special Emphasis on Cross-Sectional Characterization of Osseous Anatomy Am. J. Roentgenol., March 1, 2008; 190(3): W175 - W181. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. F. Donnelly, J. B. Betts, and B. L. Fricke Skimboarder's Toe: Findings on High-Field MRI Am. J. Roentgenol., May 1, 2005; 184(5): 1481 - 1485. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. Floemer, W. B. Morrison, G. Bongartz, and H. P. Ledermann MRI Characteristics of Olecranon Bursitis Am. J. Roentgenol., July 1, 2004; 183(1): 29 - 34. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Zanetti, A. Metzdorf, H.-P. Kundert, H. Zollinger, P. Vienne, B. Seifert, and J. Hodler Achilles Tendons: Clinical Relevance of Neovascularization Diagnosed with Power Doppler US Radiology, May 1, 2003; 227(2): 556 - 560. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A M Connors and S P Blake Multiple-choice questionnaire: general Imaging, October 1, 2002; 14(5): 428 - 437. [Full Text] [PDF]