Calcaneal fractures: what the surgeon needs to know.

The calcaneus is an uncommonly fractured bone that plays a critical role in foot biomechanics, weight-bearing, and the ability to wear a shoe. The radiologist acts as a consultant during screening, operative planning, and follow-up imaging of these often complex injuries. Effective communication between radiologist and surgeon requires an understanding of calcaneal anatomy, goals of surgical reduction, and factors that affect patient management and outcomes.

Avulsions around the knee portend instability.

Bony avulsions about the knee are common injuries seen in the emergency room. Unawareness of characteristic radiographic patterns of injury that herald potential instability and require further workup can result in significant morbidity. We present a radiographic pictoral discussion on bony avulsions and associated soft tissue complex injuries on MRI.

Fibromatosis: the breast cancer imitator.

Fibromatosis of the breast is a rare benign tumor that should be included in the differential diagnosis for breast cancer. It is usually indistinguishable from malignancy on ultrasound, mammography, physical examination, and on gross evaluation. Distinction is easily made by histologic findings.