MR imaging in the prognostication of hamstring injury. Work in progress.
OBJECTIVE
To correlate morphologic and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings in hamstring injury with short-term prognosis and convalescence interval (CI).


METHODS
A retrospective study of 14 professional athletes with hamstring injury was performed. The injuries were categorized according to muscle group involved, percentage of cross-sectional area affected, location, and signal intensity on T1- and T2-weighted spin-echo images.


RESULTS
Longer CIs (> 6 weeks) were seen in injuries with complete transection, greater than 50% cross-sectional muscle involvement, ganglionlike fluid collections (long T1 and T2), hemorrhagelike signal intensity (short T1 and T2), distal myotendinous junction tears, and deep muscular tears. Shorter CIs (< 5 weeks) were seen in superficial muscle injuries and muscle belly injuries that involved small cross-sectional areas of the muscle.


CONCLUSIONS
Prediction of CI for high-performance athletes with complete hamstring injury may be accomplished with use of MR imaging and poor prognostic factors.
Pomeranz
S J
SJ
Department of Radiology, Christ Hospital, Cincinnati, OH 45219.
Heidt
R S
RS
D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009132:Muscles / Q000293:injuries*; D011379:Prognosis; D013180:Sprains and Strains / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology