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. 2016 Dec 12;8(1):69–78. doi: 10.1007/s13244-016-0533-2

Table 1.

Radiographic, sonographic and MRI features of PF disorders

Plain radiography Ultrasound Magnetic resonance imaging
Plantar fasciitis PF thickening
Narrowed/absent fat pad deep below the PF
Cortical changes (sclerosis/lucency and loss of smooth contour) at the PF calcaneal attachment
Calcaneal spurs within the PF
PF thickening
Loss of fibrillar structure
Perifascial fluid collections
Calcifications within the PF
Hyperemia in the PF/perifascial soft tissues (Doppler imaging)
Reduced PF elasticity (elastosonography)
PF thickening
Intrasubstance areas of intermediate T1/high T2 signal
Oedema in the adjacent soft tissues
Bone marrow oedema at the PF calcaneal attachment
Plantar fibromatosis Iso-hypoechoic, well-demarcated mass
No intralesional flow (Doppler imaging)
Lobulated low-signal mass on T1w and T2w images
Tear Complete/partial interruption of the PF
Hypoechoic tissue at the site of rupture
Complete/partial interruption of the PF
Intermediate T1/high T2 signal at the site of rupture
Oedema in the adjacent soft tissues
Xanthoma Nodule with speckled pattern Fusiform enlargement of the PF
Heterogeneous T1 and T2 signal
Foreign body Radiopaque material (e.g., metals) Echoic material
Posterior acoustic shadowing
Comet tail reverberation (metals)
Variable signal of the foreign body
High T2 signal of the granulation tissue
Plantar infection Soft tissue swelling
Blurring of soft tissue planes
Bone osteomyelitic changes
PF thickening
Loss of fibrillar structure
Perifascial oedema
Hyperemia in the PF (Doppler imaging)
Low T1/high T2 signal and contrast enhancement in the PF, perifascial soft tissues and adjacent bone