Bone marrow edema syndrome of the third metatarsal bone: a rare cause of metatarsalgia treated with Iloprost

Abstract

Bone marrow edema syndrome (BMES) is a non-traumatic clinical condition characterized by typical pattern of changes on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The disease rarely occurs in the forefoot region. A 37-year-old woman was diagnosed with BMES of the third metatarsal bone with typical MRI findings. She was successfully treated with iloprost infusion therapy consisted of infusion of 40 μg of iloprost in 500 ml of sodium chloride solution given over 6 h daily, for five consecutive days. In conclusion, BMES should be kept in mind, as one of the causes of severe pain of forefoot region, and iloprost seems to be an effective treatment method for BMES.