Magnetic resonance imaging may be an asset to diagnose and classify fluoroquinolone-associated Achilles tendinitis.
The aim of this study was to document the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) during fluoroquinolone-associated Achilles tendinitis. Fourteen Achilles tendons were examined by MRI (T1 and T2 or T2*-weighted sequences) in nine patients with typical tendinopathy (13 cases of tendinitis and 1 rupture) during fluoroquinolone therapy. Tendinous involvement was classified according to the prominence of intra- or peritendinous changes. The most typical feature was the presence of intratendinous changes, longitudinal or transversal, detected on T1 or T2-weighted sequences. Peritendinitis was most visible in two cases and nodular involvement in three cases. It was concluded that MRI appears a helpful and accurate method in identifying and classifying such iatrogenic tendinitis. In addition, MRI indicates orthopedic management when detecting risk of rupture.
Gillet
P
P
Department of Pharmacology, URA CNRS, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.
Blum
A
A
Hestin
D
D
Pourel
J
J
Pierfitte
C
C
Mainard
D
D
Kessler
M
M
Netter
P
P
D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000187:drug effects*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D024841:Fluoroquinolones; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D052256:Tendinopathy / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis*
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D024841:Fluoroquinolones