title: The role of magnetic resonance imaging in a Division I university sports medicine program.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To prospectively document musculoskeletal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) use and how it affects diagnosis, playing status, and treatment of Division I university athletes. We hypothesized that MRI often has little or no effect on the diagnosis or treatment plan.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Division I university sports medicine program.
  
  
  METHODS
  Division I university varsity athletes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected of musculoskeletal MRI use in varsity student athletes for 2 full academic years from 2010 to 2012 at a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I institution.
  
  
  METHODS
  Timing of the injury, first physician visit, and MRI and pre- and post-MRI diagnosis, playing status, and treatment (surgical vs nonsurgical).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty-six MRIs were obtained during the 2 years studied. Average age was 19.9 (18-23) years. Forty-five percent of injuries occurred during competition season, 34% occurred preseason, and 21% occurred postseason. There was a change in diagnosis in 13 athletes (15.1%, 1 led to surgery performed after completion of the season), and there was a change in participation status in 8 athletes (9.3%, 5 increased and 3 decreased). Treatment plan changed in 1 athlete (1.2%). No athlete required surgery immediately after an MRI that was not already being planned. Every athlete treated nonsurgically pre-MRI was able to finish their season.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Magnetic resonance imaging was obtained in 14% of athletes and did not demonstrate a clear benefit over history, examination, and radiographs. Magnetic resonance imaging did change diagnosis in 15% of cases, though it did not appreciably change the playing status or treatment plan.
authors: *Division of Sports Medicine and Shoulder Surgery, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, Missouri; †Division of Sports Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, Missouri; ‡BJC Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Specialists, Edwardsville, Illinois; and §Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri.
authors: Kellen
authors: K
authors: Huston
authors: William
authors: W
authors: Mitchell
authors: L Ty
authors: LT
authors: Wadsworth
authors: Janiece
authors: J
authors: Stewart
authors: Adnan
authors: A
authors: Cutuk
authors: Scott G
authors: SG
authors: Kaar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013178:Sports Medicine; D014495:Universities; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D055815:Young Adult