MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING OF ILIOTIBIAL BAND SYNDROME

Seven cases of iliotibial band syndrome and the pathoanatomic findings of each, as demonstrated by magnetic resonance imaging, are presented . These findings were compared with magnetic resonance imaging scans o f 10 age- and sex-matched control knees without evidence of lateral kn ee pain. Magnetic resonance imaging signal consistent with fluid was s een deep to the iliotibial band in the region of the lateral femoral e picondyle in five of the seven cases. Additionally, when compared with the control group, patients with iliotibial band syndrome demonstrate d a significantly thicker iliotibial band over the lateral femoral epi condyle (P < 0.05). Thickness of the iliotibial band in the disease gr oup was 5.49 +/- 2.12 mm, as opposed to 2.52 +/- 1.56 mm in the contro l group. Cadaveric dissections were performed on 10 normal knees to fu rther elucidate the exact nature of the area under the iliotibial band . A potential space, i.e., a bursa, was found between the iliotibial b and and the knee capsule. This series suggests that magnetic resonance imaging demonstrates objective evidence of iliotibial band syndrome a nd can be helpful when a definitive diagnosis is essential. Furthermor e, correlated with anatomic dissection, magnetic resonance imaging ide ntifies this as a problem within a bursa beneath the iliotibial band a nd not a problem within the knee joint.