A RARE CAUSE OF PAIN IN THE MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM: BONE MARROW EDEMA SYNDROME (original) (raw)
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Bone Marrow Edema Syndrome, Revisiting a Forgotten Entity
Open Journal of Orthopedics
Bone marrow edema is a self-limiting, under-recognized condition. It mainly involves the lower limbs. It is characterized by pain and inability to bear weight. Diagnosis is most often based on imaging and by excluding other causes. Its exact pathogenesis is still debated and various theories are postulated. Treatment ranges from anti-inflammatories to restricted weight bearing. This overview has tried to revisit this rare and perhaps forgotten clinical-radiological condition.
Bone marrow edema syndromes of the hip: MRI features in different hip disorders
The objectives of this study were to describe the essential magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of bone marrow edema syndromes affecting the hip joint. In addition, to evaluate the role of MRI in the assessment of hip joint involvement in different clinical settings that may share similar clinical findings. Thirty-four patients who complained of hip pain were studied consecutively. Of these, 21 were men (61.8%) and 13 were women (38.2%). After clinical assessment of possible hip disease, plain radiograph and MRI study of both hips were performed. The literature was searched using keywords: bone marrow edema, hip, and MRI. All patients had antalgic gait and limping. Initial clinical examination revealed painful limited internal and external rotation of the affected hip/hips suspect for hip disease. Unilateral hip involvement was identified in 31 patients (91.2%), and bilateral hip involvement was found in three patients (8.8%), with a total of 37 hips evaluated by MRI. The final diagnoses in our patients were: reactive arthritis (1), transient osteoporosis (7), avascular necrosis (10), osteoarthritis (2), tuberculous arthritis (4), septic arthritis (2), osteomyelitis (2), sickle cell anemia (2), lymphocytic leukemia (1), and femoral stress fracture (3). Bone marrow edema affecting the hip is neither a specific MR imaging finding nor a specific diagnosis and may be encountered in a variety of hip disorders due to different etiologies. MR imaging is the modality of choice when clinical examination is suspect for hip disease and plain radiographs are normal or equivocal. Early diagnosis and treatment is important in many of the disorders. The literature is reviewed regarding bone marrow edema of the hip. Keywords Avascular necrosis of the hip. Bone marrow edema syndromes. Magnetic resonance imaging of hip disorders. Transient bone marrow edema syndrome of the hip joint Clin Rheumatol
BMJ Case Reports, 2020
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and bone marrow edema syndrome (BMES) are two rare conditions that are still being discussed. They are generally considered as two distinct entities, yet they share similarities such as a homogeneous bone marrow edema is also often found in the early phase of CRPS. We present the case of a 41-year-old man with CRPS after a foot fracture followed by the development of painful BMES of the ipsilateral knee and hip a few weeks later. The search for another pathology was negative. After pamidronate infusions, the evolution was spectacular: the disappearance of hip pain at 1 month and more than 50% reduction in knee and foot pain at 2 months. At final follow-up (1 year), the patient was asymptomatic. This case reinforces the idea of a possible link between CRPS and BMES probably through similar trabecular bone involvement. Imaging remains useful in diagnosis of CRPS.
Reviewing Bone Marrow Edema in Athletes: A Difficult Diagnostic and Clinical Approach
Medicina
Bone marrow edema (BME) is defined as an area of low signal intensity on T1-weighted (T1W) MRI images and associated with intermediate or high signal intensity findings on T2-weighted (T2W) MRI images. BME represents a typical imaging finding that characterizes common stress-related bone injuries of professional and amateur athletes. The etiology of stress-related injuries is influenced by numerous factors, including the initiation of a new sports activity or changes in an existing training protocol. The clinical significance of BME remains unclear. However, a correlation between the imaging pattern of BME, the clinical history of the patient and the type of sports activity practiced is essential for correct diagnosis and adequate therapeutic treatment. It is also important to clarify whether there is a specific threshold beyond which exercise can adversely affect the bone remodeling process, as the clinical picture may degenerate into the presence of BME, pain and, in the most seve...
How We Manage Bone Marrow Edema—An Interdisciplinary Approach
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Bone marrow edema (BME) is a descriptive term for a common finding in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Although pain is the major symptom, BME differs in terms of its causal mechanisms, underlying disease, as well as treatment and prognosis. This complexity together with the lack of evidence-based guidelines, frequently makes the identification of underlying conditions and its management a major challenge. Unnecessary multiple consultations and delays in diagnosis as well as therapy indicate a need for interdisciplinary clinical recommendations. Therefore, an interdisciplinary task force was set up within our large osteology center consisting of specialists from internal medicine, endocrinology/diabetology, hematology/oncology, orthopedics, pediatrics, physical medicine, radiology, rheumatology, and trauma surgery to develop a consenus paper. After review of literature, review of practical experiences (expert opinion), and determination of consensus findings, an overview and an alg...
Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic & Related Surgery, 2006
We report on 24 cases of transient bone marrow edema syndrome in 18 patients who underwent core decompression of the knee. Methods: Diagnosis was made with the use of radiographs, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and core biopsy testing. Arthroscopic surgery and core decompression were carried out in all patients, and MRI was performed again, 5 years after surgery was performed. Results: Medial and lateral femoral condyles were affected in 15 and 7 knees, respectively. In all, 6 patients presented with bilateral involvement of the knees (migrating transient bone marrow edema syndrome). Two of these patients had affections of the medial and lateral compartments within the same knee at different times, consistent with intra-articular regional bone marrow edema syndrome. Core biopsy specimens showed areas of bone marrow edema and vital trabeculae covered by osteoblasts and osteoid seams. Resolution of symptoms and normalization of MRI findings occurred in all patients within 12 weeks after surgery. Conclusions: Migrating bone marrow edema was found in a high percentage (33%) of patients at 5-year follow-up; however, all patients were clinically asymptomatic, and signal alterations on MRI had resolved completely. The high incidence of migrating bone marrow edema, the lack of osteonecrotic regions in our specimens, and the fact that none of these cases progressed to spontaneous osteonecrosis seem to further support the contention that bone marrow edema syndrome of the knee is a distinct entity. Level of Evidence: Level II, diagnostic study; development of diagnostic criteria on the basis of consecutive patients and with universally applied reference gold standard.