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Accessory ossicles and sesamoid bones of the ankle and foot: imaging findings, clinical significance and differential diagnosis

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Abstract

Accessory ossicles and sesamoid bones are frequent findings in routine radiographs of the ankle and foot. They are commonly considered fortuitous and unrelated to the patient's complaint; however, they may eventually cause painful syndromes or degenerative changes in response to overuse and trauma. They may also suffer or simulate fractures. Our aim was to review, illustrate and discuss the imaging findings of some of the more frequent accessory ossicles and sesamoid bones of the ankle and foot region, with particular emphasis on those that may be of clinical significance or simulate fractures.

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Acknowledgements. We express our gratitude to J. Bates and the Language Service of the Rovira i Virgili University for their assistance in preparing the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut de Diagnòstic per la Imatge, Hospital Universitari de Tarragona Joan XXIII, Carrer Doctor Mallafrè Guasch 4, 43007, Tarragona, Spain

    J. M. Mellado, A. Ramos, E. Salvadó, A. Camins & A. Saurí

  2. Department of Nuclear Medicine, Hospital Universitari de Tarragona Joan XXIII, Carrer Doctor Mallafrè Guasch 4, 43007, Tarragona, Spain

    M. Danús

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  1. J. M. Mellado
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  2. A. Ramos
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  3. E. Salvadó
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  4. A. Camins
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  6. A. Saurí
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Correspondence to J. M. Mellado.

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Mellado, J.M., Ramos, A., Salvadó, E. et al. Accessory ossicles and sesamoid bones of the ankle and foot: imaging findings, clinical significance and differential diagnosis. Eur Radiol 13 (Suppl 6), L164–L177 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-003-2011-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-003-2011-8

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