Bone marrow ill-defined hyperintensities with tarsal coalition: MR imaging findings.
BACKGROUND
To report the occurrence and pattern of ill-defined subchondral hyperintensities on Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging in patients with talocalcaneal coalition (TCC).


METHODS
MR imaging of both feet was performed in 10 consecutive patients with 14 TCCs. There were eight males and two females with ages ranging from 9-52 years (mean 25 years). Twelve of the 14 TCCs were symptomatic. MR imaging sequences included T1- and T2-weighted as well as STIR images. The images were evaluated for the presence, extent and location of ill-defined subchondral hyperintensities on MR images in the hindfoot.


RESULTS
Ill-defined subchondral hyperintensities on MR imaging were present in 12 (86%) of the 14 hindfeet with TCCs. Two of these were without symptoms. No abnormalities were seen in two symptomatic hindfeet.


CONCLUSIONS
In our series hyperintensities located in the subchondral bone adjacent to the coalition was relatively common in TCC. The presence of this specific pattern in the subchondral bone adjacent to the coalition may be indicative of tarsal coalition.
Sijbrandij
Elisabeth S
ES
Department of Radiology, University Hospital Utrecht and Central Military Hospital, Heidelberglaan 100, 3509 AA Utrecht, The Netherlands.
van Gils
Ad P G
AP
de Lange
Eduard E
EE
Sijbrandij
Simon
S
D000328:Adult; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000473:pathology*; D002111:Calcaneus / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D013628:Talus / Q000473:pathology; D013639:Tarsal Bones / Q000002:abnormalities*