Objective:To investigate MR imaging features and diagnostic value of bone contusion. Methods:70 consecutive patients with bone contusion were prospectively analyzed

the time between bone injury and MR examination

sensitivity of MR series to detecting lesions of contusion and distribution of lesions were evaluated; a knee contusion follow-up images and a bone contusion pathologic data was analyzed. Results:MR examination of bone contusion were mostly less than two weeks

but a few patients were longer than one year;STIR

T1WI were more sensitive lesion detection series in bone contusion(100% and 95.7%).Bone contusion mostly occur at knee

and lesions mainly distributed in the margin area of articular(69.8%)

in superior portion of vertebral body(74.1%). Bone contusion following-up showed a line-like hyperostosis and osteosclerosis in contusion area. Histological manifestations of bone contusion were local trabecular micro fractures

edema

hemorrhage and injury of fat tissue. Conclusion:MR imaging is a sensitive method of diagnosis in bone contusion

could display position and course of bone contusion. Bone contusion is local trabecular microfractures

early diagnosis can allow patients early treatment

the important diagnostic tool is MRI.