Skip to main content
Journal cover image

The use of magnetic resonance imaging in exertional compartment syndromes.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Amendola, A; Rorabeck, CH; Vellett, D; Vezina, W; Rutt, B; Nott, L
Published in: Am J Sports Med
1990

This prospective, double-blind study was carried out to assess the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a noninvasive method in the diagnosis of chronic compartment syndrome (CCS). As well, a new radiopharmaceutical known as methoxy isobutyl isonitrile that has been shown to be taken up by muscle in direct proportion to its blood flow was used to illustrate the possible pathophysiology of this syndrome. Twenty patients with a history of chronic leg pain and possible diagnosis of CCS and five normal volunteers had preexercise and postexercise MRI, nuclear medicine imaging, and static and dynamic slit catheter pressure studies. Nine patients had classic symptoms; only five of these nine had abnormal pressure studies. The other 11 patients had an element of pain at rest and had normal pressure studies. The nuclear blood flow studies were normal in all 25 legs tested in this study. Measurement of intrinsic MRI parameters T1 and T2 in the normal legs as well as in those with an atypical history showed a marked elevation with exercise and a gradual return to baseline postexercise that was similar to the pressure curves. In the five patients with a clinical history and elevated pressures, four had abnormal MRI studies with failure of T1 to return to baseline values. Although these results demonstrate the potential of MRI as a tool for noninvasively monitoring muscle status, clinical history and examination remain important in the diagnosis of CCS. This study indicates that the pathophysiology of exertional compartment syndrome does not appear to be related to ischemia.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Am J Sports Med

DOI

ISSN

0363-5465

Publication Date

1990

Volume

18

Issue

1

Start / End Page

29 / 34

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Regional Blood Flow
  • Prospective Studies
  • Pressure
  • Physical Exertion
  • Pain
  • Orthopedics
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Leg
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Amendola, A., Rorabeck, C. H., Vellett, D., Vezina, W., Rutt, B., & Nott, L. (1990). The use of magnetic resonance imaging in exertional compartment syndromes. Am J Sports Med, 18(1), 29–34. https://doi.org/10.1177/036354659001800105
Amendola, A., C. H. Rorabeck, D. Vellett, W. Vezina, B. Rutt, and L. Nott. “The use of magnetic resonance imaging in exertional compartment syndromes.Am J Sports Med 18, no. 1 (1990): 29–34. https://doi.org/10.1177/036354659001800105.
Amendola A, Rorabeck CH, Vellett D, Vezina W, Rutt B, Nott L. The use of magnetic resonance imaging in exertional compartment syndromes. Am J Sports Med. 1990;18(1):29–34.
Amendola, A., et al. “The use of magnetic resonance imaging in exertional compartment syndromes.Am J Sports Med, vol. 18, no. 1, 1990, pp. 29–34. Pubmed, doi:10.1177/036354659001800105.
Amendola A, Rorabeck CH, Vellett D, Vezina W, Rutt B, Nott L. The use of magnetic resonance imaging in exertional compartment syndromes. Am J Sports Med. 1990;18(1):29–34.
Journal cover image

Published In

Am J Sports Med

DOI

ISSN

0363-5465

Publication Date

1990

Volume

18

Issue

1

Start / End Page

29 / 34

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Regional Blood Flow
  • Prospective Studies
  • Pressure
  • Physical Exertion
  • Pain
  • Orthopedics
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Leg