Bone bruise – radiologische und morphologische Aspekte

ZusammenfassungBeim Bone bruise handelt es sich um eine traumabedingte Läsion des subchondralen Knochens mit abnormaler Signalintensität in der MRT bei normalem Röntgenbefund. Gemäß Definition finden sich keine Verletzungen des Gelenkknorpels oder der Kortikalis.

SummaryA bone bruise is defined as a traumatically involved non-linear area of signal loss involving the subcortical bone on T1-weighted images and increased signal intensity on T2-weighted images with normal radiographs. The signal alterations represent trabecular microfractures of the subcortical bone associated with hemorrhage and edema. The osseous injuries may result from a direct blow to the bone, from compression forces of adjacent bone impacting one another, from traction forces that occur during an avulsion injury, or from microtraumata. There exists a close association of the mechanism of the injury and bone bruising. The bone contusion pattern corresponds to the mechanism of the trauma and may thereby predict associated soft-tissue abnormalities. Bone bruises must be differentiated from other abnormalities with bone marrow edema. The ill-defined zones on MRI presenting a bone bruise may last up to twelve months. Bone bruise and pain do often not correlate. The long-term effect of bone bruising on articular cartilage is not known and still a matter of controversy.