Taking the stress out of evaluating stress injuries in children

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Pediatric Radiology
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• Pediatric stress injuries arise from an imbalance between physical activity load and bone/cartilage's biomechanical capacity in growing skeletons.
• The incidence of these injuries in children has significantly increased in recent years.
• Diagnosis can be complex due to potentially aggressive imaging appearances.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the spectrum of pediatric stress injuries across various anatomical locations.
• To emphasize the characteristic appearances of these injuries on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on pediatric stress injuries.
• Analysis of imaging features, particularly MRI findings.
• Correlation of injury presentation with skeletal maturation and physical activity.

Main Results:

• Stress injury presentation varies by activity, injury site, and skeletal maturity.
• Imaging findings can mimic more aggressive conditions, complicating diagnosis.
• MRI demonstrates a wide range of features characteristic of pediatric stress injuries.

Conclusions:

• Understanding the diverse imaging spectrum of pediatric stress injuries is crucial for accurate diagnosis.
• Radiologists' awareness of these features aids in correct diagnosis and reduces patient anxiety.
• MRI is a key tool for evaluating pediatric stress injuries in children and adolescents.