Keywords:
Musculoskeletal soft tissue, Musculoskeletal system, Musculoskeletal joint, MR, MR-Diffusion/Perfusion, Education, Imaging sequences, Education and training, Trauma, Oedema
Authors:
F. Jungmann, T. Emrich, S. Mattyasovszky, P. Appelmann, C. Düber, K.-F. Kreitner; Mainz/DE
DOI:
10.1594/essr2017/P-0269
Conclusion
MRI plays a crucial role in managing muscle injuries in competitive sports.
On the one hand MRI has the potential to estimate lay-off time and to identify injuries that will cause longer lay-off times by using classification systems. The Munich Muscle Injury Classification is based on clinical examination combined with MRI whereas the very detailed British Athletics Muscle Injury Classification allows a precise graduation of muscle injuries with the use of high resolution MRI.
Further studies are necessary in order to validate these classification systems regarding lay-off time.
MRI could help guide training intensity in complex muscle injuries by follow-up MR-examinations combined with clinical investigation in order to avoid re-injuries with significantly longer lay-off times.
The value of DTI in muscle injuries has to be evaluated in future research.