MRI of Soft Tissue Pathology of the Foot

 Masih, S.(1-3), Gentili, A.(2) and Seeger, L.(3)

(1) West LA VA , (2) UCSD, (3) UCLA

Purpose of this exhibit is to discuss the common and rare soft tissue pathology that may occur in the plantar soft tissues of the foot with specific MRI findings. As with other parts of the musculoskeletal system, the plantar soft tissues of the foot can be affected by various pathologic entities including trauma, congenital, inflammatory/infectious and neoplastic disorders. While plain radiographs are usually the initial examination for evaluation of pathology, MRI is becoming increasingly important diagnostic modality in the evaluation of these patients. Plantar fasciitis is probably the most commonly recognized pathology in the foot. However, there are other less common entities that may affect the plantar soft tissues. These include plantar fibromatosis, rupture of plantar fascia, plexiform fibrohistiocytic tumor, schwannoma, epidermal inclusion cyst, metastatic melanoma, hemangioma, extra-skeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma, pigmented villonodular synovitis, gout and Mortons neuroma.