ULTRASOUND IN THE ASSESSMENT OF METATARSALGIA - A SURGICAL AND HISTOLOGICAL CORRELATION

Aims: To assess the reliability of ultrasound in the evaluation of met atarsalgia in a typical clinical setting. Methods and Materials: The c linical records, ultrasound findings, surgical outcome and histology o f patients with metatarsalgia referred for ultrasound evaluation were reviewed, All ultrasound examinations were performed by the same opera tor via a plantar approach using high resolution linear array probes. Results: Thirty-seven patients were examined, age range 23 to 74, mean 49.6 years; thirty-one were female. Thirty-seven intermetatarsal mass es were found in 32 patients. To date 26 patients have undergone surge ry and 28 lesions (26 Morton's neuromas, one angiolipoma and one angio leiomyoma) have been excised. There were no false-positive ultrasound examinations. A solitary neuroma was missed. Sensitivity was 96% and p ositive predictive value 100%, Conclusion: Ultrasound is a valuable to ol in the evaluation of metatarsalgia and has high sensitivity and pos itive predictive value for the detection of intermetatarsal masses. It provides exact localization prior to surgical resection and detects u nsuspected additional lesions.