Blount's disease: magnetic resonance imaging

To evaluate the information obtained by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, the radiographic and MR investigations of nine patients treated for idiopathic tibia vara were reviewed in retrospect. There were six unilateral and three bilateral cases (12 tibiae). Initial radiographs of each patient were assigned a stage according to Catonné's classification. MR imaging was performed with a 0.5- or 1.5-T apparatus. Bony epiphyses were poorly developed in all cases. The cartilaginous component of the epiphyses compensated partially (6/12 cases) or completely (6/12 cases) for the collapse of the physes. In two cases an abnormal area was found between the medial meniscus and the cartilaginous portion of the epiphysis. An abnormally large medial meniscus was noted in four cases; an abnormal signal in the medial meniscus was seen in two cases. MR imaging has several advantages over plain film: it uses no ionizing radiation, it shows the shape of the ossified and cartilaginous epiphysis, and it demonstrates meniscal and physeal abnormalities. MR imaging may influence the choice of treatment.