Intratendinous Alterations as Imaged by Ultrasound and Contrast Medium-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance in Chronic Achillodynia

Abstract

CME-MR imaging revealed greater sensitivity in demonstrating intratendinous pathology than the ultrasound; this was documented by the larger size of the corresponding lesion and the fact that the pathology was occurring in areas that were considered normal by ultrasonography. US hypoechoic areas showed a markedly abnormal tendon structure including an increased amount of GAG-rich areas. However, moderate pathology was also found in the neighboring normoechogenous areas within the same tendon, indicating a more generalized disorder than depicted by echogenic properties.