Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Ankle Disorders in Adult Nigerians in Lagos

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to establish the frequency, distribution, and spectrum of abnormalities on ankle magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in adult Nigerians. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of ankle MRI of 50 adult patients was conducted at a single health facility. All adult Nigerians with complete clinical data, MRI images, and radiologists’ reports were included. The clinical history and ankle MRI findings were recorded and analysed. The threshold for statistical significance was established at P≤0.05. RESULTS: There were 50 subjects comprising 27 males (54%) and 23 females (46%) aged 25–66 years (mean age = 42.84 ± 9.63 years). The right ankle was evaluated in 27 subjects (54%), while the left ankle was studied in 23 (46%). There was a history of trauma in 40 subjects (80%; 27 right ankles and 13 left ankles). Ankle joint effusion was the most common abnormality—seen in 50% of all subjects and in 62.5% of those with antecedent trauma. Achilles tendinosis and Kager (pre-Achilles) fat pad oedema (8–12%), deltoid ligament tear (8%), and medial malleolar fracture (4%) were the other frequently detected pathologies. The other pathologies detected were posterior tibial tendinosis (2%), plantar fasciopathy (2%), and talar contusion (2%). Joint effusion was significantly more prevalent in post-traumatic ankles than in the non-traumatic ankles and in the right ankles than the left ankles. There was no significant difference in the frequency of ankle abnormalities between the male and female subjects and between subjects younger than and older than the mean age. CONCLUSION: Joint effusion, deltoid ligament tear, and Achilles tendinopathy were the prevalent derangements in evaluated ankle joints. Trauma was the main indication for ankle MRI in this study.