Intermetatarsal Bursa

Fig. 17.54. Morton neuroma and intermetatarsal bursitis. Longitudinal 12-5 MHz US image obtained with a dorsal approach shows the neuroma as a fusiform solid hypoechoic mass (n) located just proximal to the bifurcation of the common digital nerve (arrowheads). Dorsal to it, fluid distension of the intermetatarsal bursa (asterisks) is seen, reflecting associated bursitis...

Zanetti M,Strehle JK, Zollinger H et al (1997) Morton neuroma and fluid in the intermetatarsal bursae on MR images of 70 asymptomatic volunteers. Radiology 203 516-520... 

Apart from intermetatarsal bursitis, superficial palpable bursitis can occur in the midfoot over a hypertrophied peroneal tubercle and in the forefoot involving the adventitial bursae beneath the metatarsal heads (Ashman et al. 2001). A distended bursa underlying the head of the first metatarsal is often observed in association with hallux valgus (Schweitzer et al. 1999). It can be recognized as a focal mass with mixed echotexture (containing fluid and hypertrophied synovium) interrupting the subcutaneous fat plane focally (Fig. 17.57). 

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