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Plantar compartments of the foot: MR appearance in cadavers and diabetic patients
D W Goodwin1, D C Salonen, J S Yu
1Veterans Administration Medical Center, San Diego, CA 92161, USA.
Purpose:
To demonstrate the plantar compartments of the foot on magnetic resonance (MR) images.
Materials And Methods:
The plantar compartments of four cadaveric feet underwent MR imaging and were sectioned. Fifteen MR studies in 11 patients with compartmental fluid were evaluated. The epicenter of infection was determined from review of the history, radiographs, and MR images.
Results:
In the cadaveric feet, distribution of contrast material conformed to the compartmental anatomic features. MR findings in the specimen correlated exactly with gross findings. All seven feet with infection centered at the second through fourth metatarsal heads demonstrated only central compartment fluid. In seven of eight feet with a more medial or lateral epicenter of infection, fluid was seen in the lateral or medial compartment and in the central compartment. In one foot with a lateral epicenter of infection, fluid was confined to the lateral compartment.
Conclusion:
MR imaging accurately depicts the compartmental anatomic features of the foot.
Insights
Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging accurately shows the foot's plantar compartments. This technique is valuable for identifying the location and spread of infections within these anatomical spaces.
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- The plantar compartments of the foot are complex anatomical spaces.
- Understanding their boundaries is crucial for diagnosing and managing foot pathologies, particularly infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the anatomical features of the plantar compartments of the foot using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging.
- To correlate MR imaging findings with gross anatomical dissections and clinical presentations of infection.
Main Methods:
- MR imaging was performed on four cadaveric feet, which were subsequently sectioned.
- Fifteen MR studies of patients with known compartmental fluid were retrospectively reviewed.
- Infection epicenter was determined by integrating clinical history, radiographic findings, and MR imaging.
Main Results:
- Contrast material distribution in cadaveric feet precisely matched compartmental anatomy.
- MR imaging findings strongly correlated with gross anatomical observations.
- Infections centered at the second to fourth metatarsal heads showed fluid only in the central compartment.
- Medial or lateral infections typically involved the central compartment along with the respective medial or lateral compartment.
Conclusions:
- Magnetic resonance imaging is an accurate modality for visualizing the anatomical compartmentalization of the foot.
- MR imaging can reliably delineate the extent of fluid collections within plantar compartments, aiding in the diagnosis of infection location.