title: Imaging features of avulsion injuries.
abstract: Avulsion injuries are common among participants in organized sports, especially among adolescent participants. Imaging features of both acute and chronic avulsion injuries of the pelvis, knee, ankle and foot, shoulder, and elbow were evaluated to help distinguish these injuries from more serious disease processes such as neoplasm and infection. At radiography, acute injuries (ie, those resulting from extreme, unbalanced, often eccentric muscular contractions) may be associated with avulsed bone fragments, whereas subacute injuries have an aggressive appearance that may include areas of mixed lysis and sclerosis. Chronic injuries (ie, those resulting from repetitive microtrauma or overuse) or old inactive injuries may be associated with a protuberant mass of bone and may bear a striking resemblance to a neoplastic or infectious process. Although not usually required, computed tomography is helpful in the diagnosis if radiographic findings are equivocal or if the injury is not in the acute phase. MR imaging is best suited for the evaluation of injuries to muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Recognition of characteristic imaging features and familiarity with musculotendinous anatomy will aid in accurate diagnosis of avulsion injuries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City 52242, USA.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Stevens
authors.forename: G Y
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: El-Khoury
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Kathol
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Brandser
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chow
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D018409:Foot Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008022:Ligaments / Q000293:injuries; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000293:injuries; D010014:Osteolysis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010026:Osteosclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010384:Pelvic Bones / Q000293:injuries; D000070599:Shoulder Injuries; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D000092464:Elbow Injuries