Bone marrow edema: patterns and clinical implications.

This article outlines the causes of bone marrow edema and classifies them by mechanism into congestive, vasogenic, traumatic, and tumorigenic forms. In particular, the article focuses on traumatic edema, emphasizing the differing patterns on the basis of mechanism of injury, impaction, distraction, and shear-type injuries. Finally the article reviews the impact of understanding mechanisms in image interpretation and in patient management.