Subchondral insufficiency fracture - metatarsal head

Case contributed by Bahman Rasuli
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Forefoot pain from 7 months ago.

Patient Data

Age: 50 years
Gender: Male

Marrow edema centered on the 3rd metatarsal head and neck displays low signal intensity on T1W and high signal intensity on PD fat-suppressed images that extends to the midshaft of the 3rd metatarsal. Surrounding soft tissue inflammatory change. 

Case Discussion

Subchondral insufficiency fracture refers to a type of stress fracture that occurs below the chondral surface on a weight-bearing surface of a bone due to mechanical failure of subchondral cancellous bone.

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