Magnetic resonance imaging of muscle injury

Abstract

Objective: To define the MR imaging features of muscle injury. Methods: MRI exams of 15 patients with clinical suspicion for muscle injury were reviewed and 7 patients had been followed up. MRI findings of these patients were evaluated by two senior musculoskeletal radiologists retrospectively. Results: Thirteen patients (87%) had low-extremity involvement in 15 cases. Five cases were muscle strain and intermediate signal intensity was showed on T1WI and high signal region of the linear or lobed was noted on T2WI and STIR or frFSE FS in injured muscle. Ten cases were intramuscular hematomas and all patients demonstrated the high signal intensity on T2WI and STIR or frFSE FS. But there were different signal intensity on T1WI and 3 cases showed low signal and 3 cases had intermediate signal and the rests showed the confusing slightly high or high signal. Conclusion: MRI is one of the best choices for imaging muscle injuries.