Role of Ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Diagnosis of the Etiology of Chronic Ankle Pain

Abstract
Background: In patients with ankle and foot pain, it is crucial to detect the lesion responsible for the pain for deter-mining adequate treatment. MRI in combination with other radiologic images is currently regarded as the most appropriate diagnostic imaging of benign bone and soft tissue lesions in chronic ankle pain.
Aim of Work: To evaluate the role of ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosis of the etiology of chronic ankle pain.
Material and Methods: This study included ninety patients with chronic ankle pain. All patients were subjected to clinical evaluation, ultrasound examination and MRI.
Results: Both ultrasound and MRI revealed nearly the same results in evaluation of tendon abnormalities. Ultra-sonography couldn't detect injuries of the posterior talo-fibular ligament as well as posterior tibio-fibular ligament while MRI could clearly detect them. Regarding other ligaments (anterior talo-fibular, anterior lower tibio-fibular and deltoid ligaments), MRI was slightly superior to ultrasound in evaluation of injuries of these ligaments. Ultrasonography could detect some cases of postero-medial impingement syndromes (caused by deltoid ligament injury), however it couldn't detect cases of posterior or anterior impingement (usually caused by bony abnormalities), these cases were better assessed by MRI examination. Cases of osteochondritis dessicans and bony tumors could be assessed by MRI examination however; ultrasonography was negative in detecting these lesions.
Conclusion: Ultrasound and MRI showed similar results in evaluation of tendon and ligament injuries as well as entrapment neuropathy, MRI was superior to ultrasound in evaluation of impingement syndromes and osseous pathologies.