Role of magnetic resonance imaging in evaluating of non-traumatic chronic ankle pain in adult

Abstract

Background: Chronic ankle pain is a common complaint that can interfere with a patient's routine activities. Despite careful and detailed clinical history and physical examination, providing an accurate diagnosis is often difficult because chronic ankle pain has a broad spectrum of potential causes. Therefore, imaging studies play a key role in diagnosis and management. The ability of MRI to demonstrate soft tissue detail and to visualize high anatomical resolution gives it an advantage in characterization of the abnormal findings. Aim of the Work: To highlight the role of magnetic resonance imaging in the assessment of the underlying aetiology of chronic non traumatic ankle pain. Patients and Methods: cross sectional study was conducted in Ain Shams University hospitals on patients confirmed with nontraumatic chronic ankle pain undergoing ankle MRI study. Results: The most common causes of nontraumatic chronic ankle pain were haglund syndrome five cases (14.3%) and osteoarthritic changes five cases (14.3%). Overall MRI imaging was able to pick probable etiology in our study. Conclusion: High soft tissue resolution, nonionizing, noninvasive nature, and multiplanar capabilities of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) make it an investigation of choice for nontraumatic ankle pain. It demonstrates soft tissue structures including muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilages, nerves, blood vessels as well as bony structures. It is also useful for guiding treatment decisions and determining response to therapy.