Evaluating the features of interdigital neuroma using 3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

Interdigital neuroma is an entrapment neuropathy of the interdigital nerve. Previously, studies on interdigital neuroma were done with 1 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging and more often 1.5 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging. We used 3 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging in our study and we did not encounter as much as we know about the study with 3 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the literature. Between 2013 and 2019, the 3 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging results of 39 consecutive surgically-confirmed interdigital neuromas and patients’ files were retrospectively evaluated. The soft tissue surrounding the prominent interdigital nerve “target sign” were assessed. Spearman’s rho, Pearson’s correlation tests, and Mann-Whitney U-tests were used. Of the 39 cases (mean transverse dimension = 4.64 mm), 35 (89.7%) were hypointense on T1-weighted sequencing, 34 were intermediate (87.1%) on short tau inversion recovery sequencing, and 29 (74.3%) had slightly-moderately enhanced neuromas on post-contrast spectral presaturation with inversion recovery sequences. A statistically significant negative relationship was found between contrast enhancement and disease duration (p = 0.020). On short tau inversion recovery or spectral presaturation with inversion recovery series, the intralesional nerve view “target sign” was observed in 23 (58.98 %) of 39 neuromas. This is the first study in the literature with 3 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging that shows the visual characteristics of interdigital neuroma and its possible contribution to the diagnosis of the disease.