MRI of isolated cuboid stress fractures in adults.

OBJECTIVE. Isolated cuboid stress fractures are rare. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the MRI appearance of this condition. MATERIALS AND METHODS. A retrospective search for patients with the diagnosis of a cuboid stress fracture was performed for a 19-year period. All patients underwent an initial three-view radiographic foot series for pain. MRI was performed because symptoms persisted beyond 4 weeks. RESULTS. Ten patients, nine of whom were women, were diagnosed with isolated cuboid stress fractures. These patients were divided into an athletic group (mean age, 36.3 years) and nonathletic group (mean age, 55.0 years). In the athletic group, there were five runners, one ballet dancer, and one gymnast, and in the nonathletic group, there was one with osteoporosis, one with a plantar fascia rupture, and one who recently underwent a fasciotomy. Eight stress fractures were linear and two were stellate and all were surrounded by marrow edema. Six fractures were located inferolaterally, one superola...