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Diagnostic Imaging of Muscle Injuries in Sports Medicine: New Concepts and Radiological Approach

  • Musculoskeletal Imaging (J Guimaraes, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Purpose of review

The aim of this review is to discuss the most common muscle injuries in sports, state-of-the-science classification, and return to play recommendations, focused on the role of imaging findings and new techniques.

Recent findings

New efforts for more accurate classification and grading system resulted in detailed and precise terminology, such as showed in the Munich consensus and later by the British Classification system. Advanced imaging, such as MR T2 mapping, MR spectroscopy, and DTI may give further information on injured muscles’ functional status and fibers’ recovery, but it still faces cost and availability issues, which reduce its application in the professional athletes setting.

Summary

Muscle injuries in sports usually result in time lost from training and competition. High-level athletes may miss several matches or competition per season, with significant economic impact for clubs and sponsors. Accurate muscle injury classification with clinical evaluation and imaging techniques is vital for proper treatment and season planning. MRI is the method of choice to evaluate the location, size, and characteristics of the injury and it is crucial for classification and treatment planning. Ultrasound imaging performed by experienced radiologists, especially inside training/recovery facilities of professional teams, is useful to diagnose acute injuries and in the follow-up of the athletes’ recovery by seriated imaging.

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Abbreviations

DOMS:

Delayed onset muscle soreness

DTI:

Diffusion-tensor imaging

MTJ:

Muscle–tendon junction

CSA:

Cross-sectional area

CC:

Cranio-caudal

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Hospital do Coração (HCor) and Teleimagem, Rua Desembargador Eliseu Guilherme, 53, 7 andar., São Paulo, SP, CEP 04004-030, Brazil

    André Fukunishi Yamada, Ivan R. B. Godoy, Luis Pecci Neto, Atul K. Taneja, Guinel Hernandez Filho & Abdalla Y. Skaf

  2. Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    André Fukunishi Yamada & Luis Pecci Neto

  3. Department of Radiology, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    Guinel Hernandez Filho

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  1. André Fukunishi Yamada
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Correspondence to André Fukunishi Yamada.

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André F. Yamada, Ivan R.B. Godoy, Luis Pecci Neto, Atul K. Taneja, Guinel Hernandez Filho, and Abdalla Y. Skaf declare that they have no potential conflicts of interest.

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Department of Radiology, Hospital do Coração (HCor) and Teleimagem—Institution from which the work originated.

This article is part of the Topical collection on Musculoskeletal Imaging.

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Yamada, A.F., Godoy, I.R.B., Pecci Neto, L. et al. Diagnostic Imaging of Muscle Injuries in Sports Medicine: New Concepts and Radiological Approach. Curr Radiol Rep 5, 27 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40134-017-0223-y

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