This study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of magnetic resonance imaging in (1) improving preoperative identification of soft tissue ganglia and in (2) enhancing management by defining their origins, attachments, and extensions. Magnetic resonance images of 17 ganglia were evaluated for intrinsic signal, internal structure, overall shape, and relationship to joints and tendon sheaths using a Philips 0.5 Tesla superconductive magnet with receiver dedicated surface coils. Magnetic resonance imaging proved particularly well suited to delineating soft tissue ganglia and characterizing several of their distinctive diagnostic features which are not optimally imaged by other modalities such as computed tomography and ultrasound.
One of the potentially troublesome sequelae of limb amputations is the development of stump neuromas at the severed ends of major nerves. The ability to define them and to distinguish them from other causes of stump pain is of considerable clinical significance. Computed tomography was performed on ten lower limb amputees with stump pain. Five patients had neuromas that were manifest as focal or generalized alteration in the caliber, size, or contour of the nerve trunk in the affected stump. The remaining five patients each had an abnormality detected; these abnormalities included heterotopic bone formation, popliteal artery aneurysm, lipoma, scar tissue, and abscess in the contralateral limb.
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