Bone marrow ill-defined hyperintensities with tarsal coalition: MR imaging findings.

INTRODUCTION: To report the occurrence and pattern of ill-defined subchondral hyperintensities on Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging in patients with talocalcaneal coalition (TCC).

METHODS AND MATERIAL: MR imaging of both feet was performed in 10 consecutive patients with 14 TCCs. There were eight males and two females with ages ranging from 9-52 years (mean 25 years). Twelve of the 14 TCCs were symptomatic. MR imaging sequences included T1- and T2-weighted as well as STIR images. The images were evaluated for the presence, extent and location of ill-defined subchondral hyperintensities on MR images in the hindfoot.

RESULTS: Ill-defined subchondral hyperintensities on MR imaging were present in 12 (86%) of the 14 hindfeet with TCCs. Two of these were without symptoms. No abnormalities were seen in two symptomatic hindfeet.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: In our series hyperintensities located in the subchondral bone adjacent to the coalition was relatively common in TCC. The presence of this specific pattern in the subchondral bone adjacent to the coalition may be indicative of tarsal coalition.