Morton Neuroma: MR Imaging in Prone, Supine, and Upright Weight-bearing Body Positions

PURPOSE: To assess the effect of prone, supine, and upright weight-bearing body positions on visibility, position, shape, and size of Morton neuroma during magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen patients with 20 Morton neuromas underwent MR imaging of the forefoot in prone (plantar flexion of the foot), supine (dorsiflexion of the foot), and upright weight-bearing positions. Visibility (3 = good, 2 = moderate, 1 = poor), position relative to the metatarsal bone, shape, and transverse diameter of Morton neuroma were assessed on transverse T1-weighted MR images. Associations between different body positions and variables of interest were calculated with Wilcoxon signed rank test, χ2 test, and paired Student t test. RESULTS: In the prone position, visibility of all 20 Morton neuromas was rated with a score of 3; visibility in the supine and weight-bearing positions was inferior (mean score, 2.4). All 20 (100%) Morton neuromas changed their position relative to the metatarsal bone be...