Prevalence of AALTF and relevant associated MR findings in persons with and without sinus tarsi pain

Abstract

Category: Ankle Introduction/Purpose: Sinus tarsi pain is very common, however, etiology of this condition has not been well understood. The purpose of this study was to evaluate differences of MRI findings between persons with and without sinus tarsi pain and to investigate the relationships of sinus tarsi pain and accessory anterolateral talar facet (AALTF). Methods: We reviewed MR images of 120 ankles with sinus tarsi pain in 115 consecutively registered patients. And age- and sex-matched MR images of 120 ankles without pain were also reviewed. We compared the presence of AALTF, calcaneal cyst (CC), bone marrow edema (BME), sinus tarsi fat obliteration (STFO) at the Gissane angle, and coalition between persons with and without sinus tarsi pain. We also compared Gissane angle, talar infero-lateral surface angle (TILSA), and calcaneal cortical thickness (CCT). Of persons with sinus tarsi pain, we compared these parameters between persons with and without AALTF. Results: AALTF was present in 61 ankles (50.8%) with sinus tarsi pain and 34 ankles (28.3%) without sinus tarsi pain (P<0.001). BME (P=0.001) and STFO (P=0.009) were significantly more frequent in persons with sinus tarsi pain. Presences of CC (P=0.108) and coalition (P=0.605) were not different. The Gissane angle was significantly smaller in persons with sinus tarsi pain than in persons without sinus tarsi pain (P<0.001) and TILSA (P=0.032), and CCT (P<0.001) were significantly larger in persons without sinus tarsi pain (Table 1). Of persons with sinus tarsi pain, BME was significantly more frequent in persons with AALTF and TILSA (P=0.032) and CCT were significantly larger in persons with AALTF (Table 2). Conclusion: The MRI findings of patients with sinus tarsi pain showed higher prevalence of AALTF, BME, and STFO. The AALTF may be associated with the MRI findings of talar and calcaneal BME.