Talocalcaneal coalition: an easily overlooked abnormality - A case report

Abstract

Abstract Congenital tarsal coalition involves failure of segmentation between two or more tarsal bones. Although coalition can be asymptomatic, foot or ankle pain occasionally occurs, especially in young patients, and is often overlooked at the first presentation. Radiography can be used to diagnose or indirectly identify tarsal coalition, and computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to confirm the diagnosis. Here, we present a case of a patient with a delayed diagnosis of tarsal coalition. In our patient, plain radiography of the left ankle showed the typical C-sign. Moreover, a noncontrast MRI of the left ankle revealed focal bone hypertrophy over the medial aspect of the talus and the sustentaculum tali of the calcaneus separated by a low signal gap. Familiarity with the radiographic features and signs of the tarsal coalition might aid in its diagnosis, and CT or MRI might provide additional information for its clinical management.