Advanced imaging of the ankle with MR or CT arthrography can be useful in patients with recurrent ankle pain after older ankle injuries. In such patients, impingement due to scar tissue or hypertrophied synovium may be the cause of pain. While x-rays are usually sufficient to aid in the diagnosis of anterior impingement (bone spurs), when there is suspected anterolateral or posterior impingement, CT or MR arthrography can assist in identifying patients who may benefit from arthroscopic treatment (debridement).

See reference/abstracts:

• Anterolateral compartment of the ankle in the lateral impingement syndrome: appearance on CT arthrography
• Anterolateral ankle impingement: mr arthrographic assessment of the anterolateral recess
• Anterolateral soft-tissue impingement in the ankle: diagnosis using MR imaging
• Soft-tissue and osseous impingement syndromes of the ankle: role of imaging in diagnosis and management

click on picture to view full size

Axial CT arthrogram demonstrates scar or hypertrophied synovium (arrow) in anterolateral gutter.

click on picture to view full size

Coronal CT arthrogram shows hypertrophied tissue (arrowhead), in anterolateral gutter.

click on picture to view full size

Sagittal MR arthrogram, ankle

MRI can differentiate among many other causes of ankle pain in the setting of normal x-rays.

Sinus tarsi syndrome can result from trauma or rheumatoid like diseases. Localization of pain may be difficult to establish. Tearing or synovitis of the subtalar ligaments may lead to pain or instability. The following example demonstrates sinus tarsi syndrome:

click on picture to view full size

Coronal fat saturated T2 weighted MR image demonstrates torn subtalar ligament (asterisk), and increased signal replacing normal sinus tarsi fat.

click on picture to view full size

Sagittal T1 weighted MR image shows disruption of sinus tarsi fat and ligaments (asterisk).

Osteochondral lesions of the talar dome may or may not be evident on x-rays. These lesions may present in the acute setting, but are more commonly detected later, after a remote trauma with persistent ankle pain. MRI can accurately detect and stage these lesions. Unstable lesions requiring surgery can be identified with MRI.

click on picture to view full size

Coronal fat saturated T2 weighted image demonstrated subchondral fracture talar dome (arrowheads) and diffuse trabecular microfracture.

Tendonitis or tears of the tendons can also be a cause of chronic ankle pain with negative x-rays. MRI can distinguish between tendonitis and tears requiring surgical repair.

The cases below illustrated several examples.

click on picture to view full size

Axial T2 weighted image demonstrates a longitudinal split tear of the peroneus brevis tendon (asterisks).

click on picture to view full size

Axial proton density weighted MR image demonstrates torn tibialis posterior tendon (arrowhead).

Other Services

	Shoulder The role of MRI in the evaluation of the painful shoulder
	Hip The role of MRI in the evaluation of the painful hip