Bone Marrow Edema: Overview of Etiology and Treatment Strategies

Umberto Tarantino; Chiara Greggi; Ida Cariati; Patrizio Caldora; Rodolfo Capanna; Antonio Capone; Roberto Civinini; Stefano Colagrande; Pietro De Biase; Francesco Falez; Giovanni Iolascon; Davide Maraghelli; Laura Masi; Marco Matucci Cerinic; Giuseppe Sessa; Maria L Brandi

doi:10.2106/JBJS.21.00300

Bone Marrow Edema: Overview of Etiology and Treatment Strategies

J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2022 Jan 19;104(2):189-200. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.21.00300.

Authors

Umberto Tarantino^{1

2}, Chiara Greggi^{1

3}, Ida Cariati^{1

3}, Patrizio Caldora⁴, Rodolfo Capanna⁵, Antonio Capone⁶, Roberto Civinini⁷, Stefano Colagrande⁸, Pietro De Biase⁹, Francesco Falez¹⁰, Giovanni Iolascon¹¹, Davide Maraghelli⁸, Laura Masi¹², Marco Matucci Cerinic¹³, Giuseppe Sessa¹⁴, Maria L Brandi¹⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, "Tor Vergata" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
² Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, "Policlinico Tor Vergata" Foundation, Rome, Italy.
³ Medical-Surgical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, "Tor Vergata" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
⁴ Orthopaedic Department, San Giuseppe Hospital, Arezzo, Italy.
⁵ Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Universal Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
⁶ Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy.
⁷ Department of Surgical Science, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
⁸ Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
⁹ General Orthopaedics and Traumatology, AOU Careggi, Florence, Italy.
¹⁰ Orthopaedic and Traumatology Department, S. Spirito Hospital, Rome, Italy.
¹¹ Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties and Dentistry, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Caserta, Italy.
¹² Metabolic Bone Diseases Unit, University Hospital of Florence, AOU Careggi, Florence, Italy.
¹³ Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
¹⁴ Section of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Department of General Surgery and Medical Surgical Specialties, University Hospital Policlinico Rodolico-San Marco, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
¹⁵ Department of Surgery and Translational Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.

PMID: 34780382
DOI: 10.2106/JBJS.21.00300

Abstract

➤: Bone marrow edema (BME) is a nonspecific but relevant finding, usually indicating the presence of an underlying pathology.

➤: The gold standard technique for detecting BME is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as it allows for a correct diagnosis to be made, which is extremely important given the heterogeneity of BME-related diseases.

➤: Depending on the severity of painful symptomatology and the MRI evidence, different treatment strategies can be followed: physical modalities, pharmacological options, and surgical therapy.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Bone Marrow Diseases* / diagnostic imaging
Bone Marrow Diseases* / etiology
Bone Marrow Diseases* / therapy
Diagnosis, Differential
Edema* / diagnostic imaging
Edema* / etiology
Edema* / therapy
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging*