Phalangeal microgeodic syndrome: findings on MR imaging.

Two rare cases of adult-onset phalangeal microgeodic syndrome with magnetic resonance imaging-proven bone edema transiently occurring in winter

“…In the recent reports, MRI was found to be helpful for the diagnosis of PMS [1,2]. In PMS, the bone marrow of the phalanges shows diffuse low signal intensity on T1-weighted images and high signal intensity on STIR images [1,2], which indicates bone edema. The symptoms regress within six months without any treatment in most patients.…”

“…The PMS cases previously reported were almost all in Japan [1,2,[4][5][6][7]. The pathogenesis of PMS is considered to be a transient disturbance of the peripheral circulation caused by cold temperatures, because it frequently occurs in winter.…”

“…The radiographic features of PMS typically show mild osteosclerosis with cortical irregularity and multiple small radiolucent spots of osteolysis in the diaphysis [1,[3][4][5]7]. In the recent reports, MRI was found to be helpful for the diagnosis of PMS [1,2]. In PMS, the bone marrow of the phalanges shows diffuse low signal intensity on T1-weighted images and high signal intensity on STIR images [1,2], which indicates bone edema.…”

“…Patients with PMS show frostbite-like symptoms, such as swelling, redness, and pain in several fingers [2][3][4][5]. Case reports on PMS in adults are rare.…”

“…Case reports on PMS in adults are rare. Recently, the observation of diffuse bone marrow edema on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was reported to be helpful in making a diagnosis of PMS [1,2].…”