title: Sports-related groin pain: evaluation with MR imaging.
abstract: Our purpose was to assess the role of MRI in evaluating the musculoskeletal system in athletes with chronic pain laterally in the groin of unknown etiology. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pubic ring was performed in 11 young athletes (soccer players) with long-standing groin pain. MR findings were compared with plain films and isotope examination (bone scan Tc 99M). Abnormal MRI findings included a broadened and irregular symphysis with a characteristic pattern of low signal intensity on T1W and high signal intensity on T2W images localized in the superior pubic ramus at a distance from the symphysis. Positive findings were also observed on plain films and on nuclear medicine studies. However, the imaging findings in the superior public ramus of the symphysis was located considerably more laterally on MRI. MRI is a valuable method for evaluating discrete and ambiguous pelvic pain in athletes, particularly for identifying concomitant changes in the superior ramus, which may give rise to long-standing pain localized laterally in the groin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Malmö General Hospital, Sweden.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ekberg
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sjöberg
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Westlin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D007264:Inguinal Canal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008022:Ligaments / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010384:Pelvic Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D011630:Pubic Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D011631:Pubic Symphysis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D011859:Radiography; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012916:Soccer / Q000293:injuries*; D013669:Technetium Tc 99m Medronate
chemical_list: D013669:Technetium Tc 99m Medronate