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Bilateral Assessment of the Corticospinal Pathways of the Ankle Muscles Using Navigated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
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MRI-induced retrocalcaneal bursitis

J L Tol1, C N van Dijk, M Maas

  • 1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 22700, 1100 DE Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Skeletal Radiology
|November 7, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Acute retrocalcaneal bursitis developed in a patient following an ankle MRI. Postsurgical metallic particles, stimulated by the magnetic field, likely caused this inflammatory response.

Area of Science:

  • Orthopedics
  • Radiology
  • Sports Medicine

Background:

  • Retrocalcaneal bursitis is an inflammation of the bursa located between the heel bone (os calcis) and the Achilles tendon.
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a common diagnostic tool used to evaluate musculoskeletal conditions, including ankle and Achilles tendon pathologies.

Observation:

  • A case report details a patient who developed acute retrocalcaneal bursitis after undergoing an ankle MRI.
  • The MRI revealed a significant susceptibility artifact near the Achilles tendon insertion on the os calcis.
  • This artifact was attributed to the presence of postsurgical metallic particles.

Findings:

  • The study postulates that mechanical stimulation of these metallic particles by the MRI's magnetic field triggered an inflammatory cascade.
  • This led to the acute onset of retrocalcaneal bursitis.

Implications:

  • This case highlights a potential, albeit rare, complication of MRI in patients with metallic implants or debris.
  • Awareness of this phenomenon is crucial for radiologists and orthopedic surgeons when interpreting MRI findings in patients with a history of surgery.
  • Further investigation may be warranted to understand the precise biomechanical interactions between magnetic fields and metallic particles in soft tissues.

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