The imaging of sports injuries

Radiology plays a critical role in the evaluation of a traumatized athlete. The goal is to provide as much information as possible to allow timely and appropriate patient care. To select the best "diagnostic pathway," close communication between the clinician and the radiologist is mandatory. This saves time, money, and radiation exposure. Although plain radiographs remain the primary imaging technique for the diagnosis of musculoskeletal trauma, certain injuries can be more fully evaluated by fluoroscopy, arthrography, nuclear medicine scanning, computed tomography (CT), arthrography followed by CT, or magnetic resonance imaging. This article reviews the uses of each imaging technique in the diagnosis of musculoskeletal trauma and its most appropriate application. A discussion of pediatric skeletal trauma is included.