From the RSNA refresher courses - MR imaging of the ankle and foot

Magnetic resonance (Mlr,) imaging has opened new horizons in the diagnosis and treatment of many musculoskeletal. diseases of the ankle and foot. It d emonstrates abnormalities in I the bones and soft tissues before they becom e evident at other imaging modalities. The exquisite soft-tissue contrast r esolution, noninvasive nature, and multiplanar capabilities of MR imaging m ake it especially valuable for the detection and assessment of a variety of soft-tissue disorders of the ligaments (eg, sprain), tendons (tendinosis, peritendinosis, tenosynovitis, entrapment, rupture, dislocation), and other soft-tissue structures (eg, anterolateral impingement syndrome, sinus tars i syndrome, compressive neuropathies [eg, tarsal tunnel syndrome, Morton ne uroma], synovial disorders). MR imaging has also been shown to be highly se nsitive in the detection and staging of a number of musculoskeletal infecti ons including cellulitis, oft-tissue abscesses, and osteomyelitis. In addit ion, MR imaging is excellent for the early detection and assessment of a nu mber of osseous abnormalities such as bone contusions, stress and insuffici ency fractures, osteochondral fractures, osteonecrosis, and transient bone marrow edema. MR imaging is increasingly being recognized as the modality o f choice for assessment of pathologic conditions of the ankle and foot.