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Transient bone marrow edema

Case contributed by Chris O'Donnell
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Severe left knee pain laterally, no trauma

Patient Data

Age: 75 years
Gender: Male

Initial study

mri

T2 brightening in the bone marrow of the lateral femoral condyle with marked surrounding soft tissue swelling.  

Four months later

mri

Spontaneous resolution following a period of non-weight bearing as is typical in this condition, unlike avascular necrosis.  Similar to the process in the hip known as idiopathic transient osteoporosis.

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