MR Imaging of the Forefoot: Morton Neuroma and Differential Diagnoses

Dominik Weishaupt; Marco Zanetti

doi:10.1055/s-2005-921938

Seminars in Musculoskeletal Radiology, Table of Contents

Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2005; 09(3): 175-186
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-921938

MR Imaging of the Forefoot: Morton Neuroma and Differential Diagnoses

Marco Zanetti¹ , Dominik Weishaupt²

¹Department of Radiology, Orthopedic University Hospital Balgrist, Switzerland
²Institute of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of Morton neuromas is highly accurate. Morton neuromas are more conspicuous when the patient is prone positioned and the foot is plantar flexed than in the supine position with the toes pointing upward. MR imaging of Morton neuromas has a large influence on the diagnostic thinking and treatment plan of orthopedic foot surgeons. The most common differential diagnoses include intermetatarsal bursitis, stress fractures, and stress reactions. Some diagnoses (nodules associated with rheumatoid arthritis, synovial cyst, soft tissue chondroma, and plantar fibromatosis) are rare and can be diagnosed with histologic correlation only.

KEYWORDS

MR imaging - forefoot; neuroma - bursitis - stress fracture

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Marco ZanettiM.D.

Department of Radiology, Orthopedic University Hospital Balgrist

Forchstrasse 340, CH-8008 Zurich, Switzerland