The utility of contrast-enhanced MRI in diagnosis of muscle injuries occult to conventional MRI

Purpose: Our goal was to define the utility of contrast-enhanced MRI in the diagnosis of occult muscle injuries on T2 and STIR sequences. Method: We retrospectively reviewed the pre- and postcontrast MR studies of four professional athletes with a clinical diagnosis of suspected muscle injuries. Results: The four cases demonstrated muscle strain injuries not visualized on the conventional T2 and STIR sequences but visualized on the postcontrast MR studies as areas of localized enhancement. Conclusion: We recommend the intravenous administration of gadolinium in the setting of clinically suspected muscle injuries not visualized on T2 and STIR sequences.