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Updated: Jul 6, 2026
07:52
In Vivo Imaging and Tracking of Technetium-99m Labeled Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Equine Tendinopathy
Published on: December 9, 2015
Bone marrow edema-like signal in the athlete
Peter R Kornaat1, Milko C de Jonge, Mario Maas
1Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands. p.r.kornaat@lumc.nl
European Journal of Radiology
|March 21, 2008
Summary
Bone marrow edema (BME) on MRI is common in athletes, even without symptoms. Radiologists must understand BME
Area of Science:
- Orthopaedics
- Radiology
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Sports medicine is a rapidly growing orthopaedic subspecialty.
- Radiologists increasingly encounter MR imaging in athletes.
- Bone marrow edema (BME) on T2-weighted MR images presents a diagnostic challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the prevalence and significance of BME in asymptomatic athletes.
- To address the challenges BME poses in sports medicine imaging.
- To contribute to the understanding of MR imaging findings in dedicated athletes' knees.
Main Methods:
- Review of MR imaging findings in athletes.
- Analysis of T2-weighted MR images for BME.
- Correlation of BME with clinical complaints (where available).
Main Results:
- BME is frequently observed on MR imaging in athletes.
- The association between BME and clinical symptoms is inconsistent across studies.
- BME appears often in asymptomatic athletes, with limited prior literature.
Conclusions:
- Radiologists must be aware of BME in the context of sports medicine.
- Further research is needed on BME in asymptomatic athletes.
- Understanding BME prevalence is crucial as sports medicine expands.
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