engleski

MRI of Tarsal Coalition

PURPOSE: To analyze the type and morphological characteristics of tarsal coalitions on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: This is a case series report of patients with tarsal coalitions. In those patients, who were referred for MRI examination of the ankle by orthopedist or physiatrist, without previous medical history, clinical data, or imaging findings, a tarsal coalition was accidentally found. The type of tarsal coalition with respect to the affected bones and MRI characteristics with respect to fibrocartilaginous or osseous nature of coalition were analyzed. RESULTS: During a three-year period the presence of tarsal coalition in six patients underwent MRI of the ankle was detected. There were two cases of talocalcaneal coalition, one of them was osseous and the other one was fibrocartilaginous in nature. In the other four patients calcaneonavicular coalition was found, in one case osseous and in the other three cases fibrocartilaginous in nature. In one patient with fibrocartilaginous calcaneonavicular coalition the signs of overuse/impingement were detected. In stated period we did not found a very rare (1% of cases) talonavicular coalition. CONCLUSION: Tarsal coalitions are rare developmental anomalies of tarsal bones which can cause static and dynamic foot disorders due to deviations from the normal anatomic relationships. They can be osseous, fibrous and cartilaginous in nature. It is not always possible to clearly distinguish fibrous from cartilaginous nature of coalition on MRI. The osseous and soft tissue changes regarding edema due to overuse or impingement in cases of fibrocartilaginous coalitions can be clearly depicted on MRI examinations.

MRI; tarsal bones; coalition

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