Imaging of rugby injuries

Abstract

Rugby players use minimal protective wear while playing and are prone to traumatic injuries. Multimodality imaging plays an important role in the diagnosis of these injuries. In the torso, vital internal organs, such as the heart, lungs, trachea, liver, and large blood vessels, lie within close proximity to the bony structures. An apparently simple rib fracture or clavicular dislocation can have potentially life-threatening complications that will not be detected by conventional radiography. Crosssectional imaging helps to determine the choice of treatment. Ultrasound offers a quick and dynamic imaging examination and allows high-resolution assessment of superficial tissues. In this chapter, we will review the epidemiology of injuries in rugby players, discuss indications and relevance for MRI, and present an optimized MRI protocol for assessment of suspected injury. We will also illustrate various types of injuries of the torso and lower extremities seen in professional rugby players, including osseous and non-osseous injuries.