Ultrasound in the diagnosis of Morton’s neuroma

Abstract Morton's neuroma is a localized mass of perineural fibrosis involving the plantar digital nerves of the feet. It is a common condition poorly imaged with conventional techniques. Recently, ultrasound imaging has been used with encouraging results for the evaluation of this ‘crippling, though innocent mass’ in the foot. More sophisticated methods, such as neurophysiology or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning have proven themselves to be inaccurate, inconvenient or unduly expensive. This prospective study was designed to compare the results of ultrasound with operative and histological findings, thereby indicating the diagnostic value of ultrasound. Twenty neuromata were followed up in 16 patients for at least one year. The average size of neuromata found was 7.4 mm in diameter. The technique showed 100% sensitivity and 80% specificity.