Rectus Femoris MRI Protocol

Protocol-Rectus Femoris

• Axial fat suppressed T2-weighted image
• Fat suppressed T2-weighted images parasagittal
• Coronal STIR 
• Sagittal fat suppressed proton density 
• Axial and coronal T1 weighted
• Axial fat suppressed T2-weighted

Optional sequences

• coronal turbo spin-echo fat-suppressed fluid-weighted images
• sagittal fluid-weighted images 

NOTE: The slice thickness was 4–5 mm with a 10% gap.

Rectus femoris injuries are extremely common in athletes, particularly in soccer players, rugby player, and sprinters. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays a key role in diagnosis, prognosis, and rehabilitation of these injuries. The current article discusses current concepts in the diagnosis and treatment of rectus femoris injuries in elite athletes, including a discussion of the less well known myofascial injuries and key prognostic factors as seen at MR imaging.

Axial and coronal MR images are optimal for visualizing the direct and indirect heads, the conjoined tendon, and the deep musculotendinous junction of the proximal rectus femoris. Tears of the deep musculotendinous junction are longitudinal, involving a long segment of the muscle. MRI features include a “bull's-eye” sign, longitudinal scar, retraction, pseudocyst, and hematoma.

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