DISORDERS OF THE HALLUX SESAMOID COMPLEX - MR FEATURES

Numerous painful conditions can affect the first metatarsophalangeal-s esamoid joint complex. Symptoms can be of sudden or insidious onset, a nd be of acute or chronic duration. Although conventional radiography is recognized as the initial diagnostic procedure for these symptoms, there is often a need to proceed to MR imaging. MR imaging is sensitiv e and can be utilized in the investigation of the hallux sesamoid comp lex to differentiate soft tissue from osseous pathology. Synovitis, te ndonitis, and bursitis can be distinguished from bony abnormalities su ch as sesamoid fracture, avascular necrosis, and osteomyelitis. An und erstanding of MR imaging features and techniques will result in the hi ghest diagnostic yield. Early and accurate diagnosis of sesamoid compl ex disorders can guide the physician to the appropriate clinical manag ement and prevent potentially harmful longstanding joint dysfunction.