Table 1 Radiographic, sonographic and MRI features of PF disorders
| Â | Plain radiography | Ultrasound | Magnetic resonance imaging |
|---|---|---|---|
Plantar fasciitis | PF thickening Narrowed/absent fat pad deep below the PF Cortical changes (sclerosis/lucency and loss of smooth contour) at the PF calcaneal attachment Calcaneal spurs within the PF | PF thickening Loss of fibrillar structure Perifascial fluid collections Calcifications within the PF Hyperemia in the PF/perifascial soft tissues (Doppler imaging) Reduced PF elasticity (elastosonography) | PF thickening Intrasubstance areas of intermediate T1/high T2 signal Oedema in the adjacent soft tissues Bone marrow oedema at the PF calcaneal attachment |
Plantar fibromatosis | Â | Iso-hypoechoic, well-demarcated mass No intralesional flow (Doppler imaging) | Lobulated low-signal mass on T1w and T2w images |
Tear | Â | Complete/partial interruption of the PF Hypoechoic tissue at the site of rupture | Complete/partial interruption of the PF Intermediate T1/high T2 signal at the site of rupture Oedema in the adjacent soft tissues |
Xanthoma | Â | Nodule with speckled pattern | Fusiform enlargement of the PF Heterogeneous T1 and T2 signal |
Foreign body | Radiopaque material (e.g., metals) | Echoic material Posterior acoustic shadowing Comet tail reverberation (metals) | Variable signal of the foreign body High T2 signal of the granulation tissue |
Plantar infection | Soft tissue swelling Blurring of soft tissue planes Bone osteomyelitic changes | PF thickening Loss of fibrillar structure Perifascial oedema Hyperemia in the PF (Doppler imaging) | Low T1/high T2 signal and contrast enhancement in the PF, perifascial soft tissues and adjacent bone |