Radiographic study of Sever's disease

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Orthopedics
• Radiology
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• Sever's disease is a common cause of heel pain in active children.
• Understanding imaging differences is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare X-ray and MRI findings of the calcaneal epiphysis in children with and without Sever's disease.
• To identify key imaging characteristics differentiating Sever's disease.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 98 children with Sever's disease and 120 controls.
• Comparison of calcaneal epiphysis density, radiolucent lines on X-ray, and MRI signal changes.
• Detailed analysis of imaging features in 6 Sever's disease patients who underwent MRI.

Main Results:

• Significant differences observed in epiphysis density (compact and cancellous bone) and radiolucent lines between groups (P<0.05).
• Male predominance noted in Sever's disease (79.59% incidence).
• MRI revealed bone marrow, ligament, and soft tissue edema, along with joint effusion in affected cases.

Conclusions:

• Sever's disease is characterized by increased calcaneal epiphysis density and a radiolucent line.
• Imaging findings, particularly on X-ray and MRI, are vital for diagnosing Sever's disease and understanding its manifestations like heel edema.