Which tear pattern of the peroneus brevis is associated with a chevron-shaped appearance on MRI?

Which tear pattern of the peroneus brevis is associated with a chevron-shaped appearance on MRI?

• A. Full-thickness tear
• B. Tendonitis without tear
• C. Split transverse tear
• D. Split longitudinal tear

Answer: (D)

Chevron-shaped appearance on MRI is a hallmark of a split longitudinal tear in the peroneus brevis tendon. When the tendon splits along its length, the two strands separate, and on sagittal imaging the gap between them can form a V or chevron shape as the fibers diverge. This pattern reflects a longitudinal split rather than a complete discontinuity or a simple transverse split. A full-thickness tear would show a direct gap across the tendon with loss of continuity; a split transverse tear would appear as a short, crosswise cleft rather than a longitudinally oriented chevron; tendonitis without a true tear would lack a discrete split pattern altogether. Thus, the chevron shape on MRI best corresponds to a split longitudinal tear.

Chevron-shaped appearance on MRI is a hallmark of a split longitudinal tear in the peroneus brevis tendon. When the tendon splits along its length, the two strands separate, and on sagittal imaging the gap between them can form a V or chevron shape as the fibers diverge. This pattern reflects a longitudinal split rather than a complete discontinuity or a simple transverse split. A full-thickness tear would show a direct gap across the tendon with loss of continuity; a split transverse tear would appear as a short, crosswise cleft rather than a longitudinally oriented chevron; tendonitis without a true tear would lack a discrete split pattern altogether. Thus, the chevron shape on MRI best corresponds to a split longitudinal tear.