Diffusion-weighted whole-body imaging with background body signal suppression facilitates detection and evaluation of an anterior rib contusion.

We report the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in a 29-year-old woman with anterior chest wall pain following blunt trauma, with special emphasis on the value of diffusion-weighted whole-body imaging with background body signal suppression (DWIBS). Although a rib contusion could be depicted at (fat-suppressed) T2-weighted MRI, anatomical localization and assessment of lesion extent were superior and more straightforward at DWIBS. Thus, this report shows the utility of adding DWIBS to an MRI protocol for anterior chest wall evaluation. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.