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Chronic exertional compartment syndrome of the forearm in motocross racers: findings on MRI

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Abstract

Introduction

The purpose of this prospective study was to demonstrate the findings of MRI in motocross racers with chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) of the forearm.

Materials and methods

Racers with proven CECS and without CECS and male individuals not involved in strenuous activities with the forearm were included. Signal intensity (SI) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) obtained before and after exercise were compared (D-SNR).

Results

Magnetic resonance imaging after exercise showed an increase in SI and SNR in the muscles on T2-WI. The SI increase was obvious in the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) and profundus (FDP) in all CECS patients. In addition, a minor SI and SNR increase in the extensor carpi radialis longus (ECRL) was noted. In the non-symptomatic group of motocross racers, there was only a minor increase in SI and the SNR, which was similar in the FDP and ECRL muscles. In the untrained individuals a remarkable increase in the SI and SNR of the FDS/FDP-ECRL was noted. This increased SI and SNR was not present in the majority of non-symptomatic racers.

Conclusion

Post-exertional MRI produces significant findings in CECS of the forearm. The motocross racers without post-exertional oedema in the FDP/FDS had no CECS.

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Conflict of interest

There is no financial sponsor of this research. The authors state that there is no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium

    Jan Louis Gielen, Benjamin Peersman, Pieter Van Dyck & Filip Vanhoenacker

  2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, ZNA, Stuyvenbergh Campus, Antwerp, Belgium

    Geert Peersman

  3. Department of Scientific Coordination, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium

    Ella Roelant

  4. Multidisciplinary Department of Sports Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium

    Jan Louis Gielen & Johan Roeykens

  5. Wilrijkstraat 10, 2650, Edegem, Belgium

    Jan Louis Gielen

Authors
  1. Jan Louis Gielen
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  2. Benjamin Peersman
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  3. Geert Peersman
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  4. Ella Roelant
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  5. Pieter Van Dyck
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  6. Filip Vanhoenacker
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  7. Johan Roeykens
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jan Louis Gielen.

Additional information

No funds or grants were available for this project

The experiments comply with instructions of the ethical committee of Antwerp University Hospital and the current laws of Belgium and the European Union

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Gielen, J.L., Peersman, B., Peersman, G. et al. Chronic exertional compartment syndrome of the forearm in motocross racers: findings on MRI. Skeletal Radiol 38, 1153–1161 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-009-0746-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-009-0746-2

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