title: Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging in sports-related muscle injuries.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography (US) in the diagnosis of traumatic muscle injuries.
  
  
  METHODS
  From June 2003 to June 2004, 81 football players with a history of traumatic muscle injuries to the lower limbs were examined. US was performed shortly after the trauma (from 6 to 72 h afterwards) and MRI within a maximum of 5 days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MRI revealed 26 minor and 55 major traumas. MRI and US showed complete concordance in 71 patients (site, type and extent of injury). US produced ten false negative results, including six minor lesions and four major lesions. US had a sensitivity of 87.65% in the correct identification of muscle injuries; its sensitivity was 92.72% for major lesions and 76.92% for minor lesions, 57% for delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS), 80% for lengthenings, 83% for contractures, 84% for strains, 87.5% for mild contusions and 100% for severe contusions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  US is the first-line technique for examination of muscle injuries. MRI is able to reveal lesions that may be missed at US and provide a more accurate assessment of site and extent of injury.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Radiologiche, Università di Siena, Policlinico S. Maria, V.le Bracci 2, I-53100, Siena, Italy. ferrari@unisi.it
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Megliola
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Eutropi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scorzelli
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gambacorta
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Marchi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Filippo
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Faletti
authors.forename: F S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Ferrari
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012916:Soccer / Q000293:injuries*; D014463:Ultrasonography