Localized Interdigital Neuritis / Morton Neuroma
Definition
- Non-neoplastic, degenerative process, usually affecting plantar and digital nerves characterized by axon and myelin loss accompanied by fibrosis
Alternate/Historical Names
- Morton’s Toe
- Morton’s metatarsalgia
- Plantar neuroma
- Morton’s node
Diagnostic Criteria
- Painful lesion of the foot, nearly always of the third metatarsal interspace
- May rarely involve digital nerves
- Marked fibrosis of perivascular, epineurial, and perineurial tissue
- Hyalinization and thrombosis of arterial vessels is common
- Depletion of axons within the peripheral nerve
- Elastic fibers increased at the periphery of the lesion
- Primarily affects women (80%)
Jason Karamchandani MD
Department of Pathology
Stanford University School of Medicine
Stanford CA 94305-5342
Original posting : 11/13/10
