Complications of muscle injuries

Abstract

Muscle injuries can be classified into strain injuries and contusions. Depending on the type of injury, different complications may occur, which in turn can be divided into early, intermediate and delayed complications. A prompt diagnosis of complications allows early treatment and permits to avoid harmful sequelae. Imaging studies, ultrasonography in particular, allow (recognizing) the assessment of complications whenever clinically suspected. In this article the most frequent complications of muscle injuries are presented.

Keywords: Complications; Muscle injuries; Ultrasound.

Figures

Fig. 1

a Sagittal sonogram of the posterior lower leg demonstrating an acute gastrocnemic vein thrombosis. The thrombus is hypoechoic, filling the central portion of the vein. b Colour Doppler demonstrates venous flow only in the peripheral part of the vein, while the central part is occupied by the thrombus

Fig. 2

a Sagittal fat saturated T2-weighted magnetic resonance image of the lower leg demonstrating a ruptured baker cyst which eventually caused an acute compartmental syndrome of the lower leg. b Extended field-of-view longitudinal sonogram of the same patient, where debris can be observed within the ruptured cyst

Fig. 3

a Radiograph of a left femur showing oval-shaped extraskeletal calcifications. b Sagittal sonogram of the same patient showing homogenous, hyperechoic, well-defined oval-shaped masses, with acoustic shadowing

Fig. 4

Transverse sonogram of a patient with pyomyositis of the rectus femoris muscle. Diffuse muscle swelling and partial posterior acoustic enhancement can be seen, suggesting a gas-forming organism infection

Fig. 5

Sagittal extended field-of-view sonographic image of the right leg of a patient with rhabdomyolisis. Diffuse muscle swelling with loss of muscle striations can be seen

Fig. 6

Sagittal sonogram of the left leg where a hyperechoic linear lesion attached to the epymisium of the rectus femoris can be seen consistent with posttraumatic fibrosis

Fig. 7

a Patient with a lower leg muscle hernia. A lump can be observed in the lateral part of the lower leg. b Sagittal sonogram of the same patient. Muscle tissue can be seen protruding through an epymisial defect