Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Elbow Imaging with an Emphasis on MRI

  • Chapter
Musculoskeletal Diseases 2009–2012

  • 1187 Accesses

Abstract

Imaging of the elbow can demonstrate a wide range of elbow abnormalities that involve osseous structures, articular surfaces, ligaments, muscles, tendons, bursae, and nerves. In the following discussion, the elbow anatomy — with variants and pitfalls as well as commonly encountered osseous and soft-tissue pathology — will be addressed. The emphasis will be on their magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearances.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Morrey BF (1993) The elbow and its disorders. WB Saunders, Philadelphia

    Google Scholar 

  2. Rosenberg ZS, Beltran J, Cheung Y, Broker M (1995) MR imaging of the elbow: Normal variant and potential diagnostic pitfalls of the trochlear groove and cubital tunnel. AJR 164:415

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Rosenberg ZS, Beltran J, Cheung YY (1994) Pseudodefect of the capitellum: Potential MR imaging pitfall. Radiology 191:821

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Pincivero DM, Heinrichs K, Perrin DH (1994) Medial elbow stability. Clinical implications. Sports Med 18:141–148

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Bradley JP, Pétrie RS (2001) Osteochondritis dissecans of the humeral capitellum. Diagnosis and treatment. Clin Sports Med 20:565–590

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Patel N, Weiner SD (2002) Osteochondritis dissecans involving the trochlea: report of two patients (three elbows) and review of the literature. J Pediatr Orthop 22:48–51

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Jeon IH, Micic ID, Yamamoto N, Morrey BF (2008) Osborne-Cotterill lesion: an osseous defect of the capitellum associated with instability of the elbow. AJR Am J Roentgenol 191:727–729

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Rosenberg ZS, Blutreich SI, Schweitzer ME et al (2008) MRI features of posterior capitellar impaction injuries. AJR Am J Roentgenol 190:435–441

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Osborne G, Cotterill P (1966) Recurrent dislocation of the elbow. J Bone Joint Surg Br 48:340–346

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Carrino JA, Smith DK, Schweitzer ME (1998) MR arthrography of the elbow and wrist. Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2:397–414

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Steinbach LS, Palmer WE, Schweitzer ME (2002) Special focus session. MR arthrography. Radiographics 22:1223–1246

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Carrino JA, Morrison WB, Zou KH et al (2001) Lateral ulnar collateral ligament of the elbow: optimization of evaluation with two-dimensional MR imaging. Radiology 218:118–125

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Cotten A, Jacobsen J, Brossman J et al (1997) Collateral ligaments of the elbow: conventional MR imaging and MR arthrography with coronal oblique plane and elbow flexion. Radiology 204:806–812

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Phillips CS, Segalman KA (2002) Diagnosis and treatment of post-traumatic medial and lateral elbow ligament incompetence. Hand Clin 18:149–159

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Schwartz ML, Al-Zahrani S, Morwessel RM, Andrews JR (1995) Ulnar collateral ligament injury in the throwing athlete: evaluation with saline-enhanced MR arthrography. Radiology 197:297

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Steinbach LS, Scfiwartz M (1998) Elbow arthrography. Radiol Clin North Am 36:635–649

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Mulligan SA, Schwartz ML, Broussard MF, Andrews JR (2000) Heterotopic calcification and tears of the ulnar collateral ligament: radiographic and MR imaging findings. AJR Am J Roentgenol 175:1099–1102

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. May DA, Disler DG, Jones EA, Pearce DA (2000) Using sonography to diagnose an unossified medial epicondyle avulsion in a child. AJR Am J Roentgenol 174:1115–1117

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Dunning CE, Zarzour ZD, Patterson SD et al (2001) Ligamentous stabilizers against posterolateral rotatory instability of the elbow. J Bone Joint Surg Am 83-A:1823–1828

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Potter HG, Weiland AJ, Schatz JA et al (1997) Posterolateral rotatory instability of the elbow: Usefulness of MR imaging in diagnosis. Radiology 204:185–189

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. O’Driscoll SW, Bell DF, Morrey BF (1991) Posterolateral rotatory instability of the elbow. J Bone Joint Surg 73-A:440–446

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Awaya H, Schweitzer ME, Feng SA et al (2001) Elbow synovial fold syndrome: MR imaging findings. AJR Am J Roentgenol 177:377–1381

    Google Scholar 

  23. Huang GS, Lee CH, Lee HS, Chen CY (2005) A meniscus causing painful snapping of the elbow joint: MR imaging with arthroscopic and histologic correlation. Eur Radiol 15:2411–2414

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Ho CP (1997) MR imaging of tendon injuries in the elbow. Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am 5:529–543

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Dirim B, Brouha SS, Pretterklieber ML et al (2008) Terminal bifurcation of thv biceps brachii muscle and tendon: anatomic considerations and clinical implications. AJR Am J Roentgenol 191:W248–255

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Chung CB, Chew FS, Steinbach L (2004) MR imaging of tendon abnormalities of the elbow. Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am 12:233–245, vi

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Miller TT, Shapiro MA, Schultz E, Kalish PE (2002) Comparison of sonography and MRI for diagnosing epicondylitis. J Clin Ultrasound 30:193–202

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Frostick SP, Mohammad M, Ritchie DA (1999) Sport injuries of the elbow. Br J Sports Med 33:301–311

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Field LD, Savoie FH (1998) Common elbow injuries in sport. Sports Med26:M3–205

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Nirschl RP, Pettrone FA (1979) Tennis elbow. The surgical treatment of lateral epicondylitis. J Bone Joint Surg Am 61:832–839

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Nirschl RP (1992) Elbow tendinosis/tennis elbow. Clin Sports Med 11:851–870

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Regan W, Wold LE, Coonrad R, Morrey BF (1992) Microscopic histopathology of chronic refractory lateral epicondylitis. Am J Sports Med 20:746–749

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Kijowski R, De Smet AA (2005) Magnetic resonance imaging findings in patients with medial epicondylitis. Skeletal Radiol 34:196–202

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Bredella MA, Tirman PFJ, Fritz RC et al (1999) MR imaging findings of lateral ulnar collateral ligament abnormalities in patients with lateral epicondylitis. AJR Am J Roentgenol 173:1379–1382

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Levin D, Nazarian LN, Miller TT et al (2005) Lateral epicondylitis of the elbow: US findings. Radiology 237:230–234

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Struijs PA, Spruyt M, Assendelft WJ, van Dijk CN (2005) The predictive value of diagnostic sonography for the effectiveness of conservative treatment of tennis elbow. AJR Am J Roentgenol 185:1113–1118

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Rettig AC (2002) Traumatic elbow injuries in the athlete. Orthop Clin North Am 33:509–522, v

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Giuffre BM, Moss MJ (2004) Optimal positioning for MRI of the distal biceps brachii tendon: flexed abducted supinated view. AJR Am J Roentgenol 182:944–946

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Williams BD, Schweitzer ME, Weishaupt D et al (2001) Partial tears of the distal biceps tendon: MR appearance and associated clinical findings. Skeletal Radiol 30:560–564

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Miller TT, Adler RS (2000) Sonography of tears of the distal biceps tendon. AJR Am J Roentgenol 175:1081–1086

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Skaf AY, Boutin RD, Weiber R et al (1999) Bicipitoradial bursitis: MR imaging findings in eight patients and anatomic data from contrast material opacification of bursae followed by routine radiography and MR imaging in cadavers. Radiology 212:111–116

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Husarik DB, Saupe N, Pfirrmann CW et al (2009) Normal anatomy, variants and pitfalls of elbow nerve: MR findings in 60 asymptomatic volunteers. Radiology (in press)

    Google Scholar 

  43. Rosenberg ZS, Bencardino J, Beitran J (1997)MR features of nerve disorders at the elbow. Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am 5:545–565

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Bencardino JT, Rosenberg ZS (2006) Entrapment neuropathies of the shoulder and elbow in the athlete. Clin Sports Med 25:465–487 vi–vii

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Kim YS, Yeh LR, Trudeil D, Resnick D (1998) MR imaging of the major nerves about the elbow: cadaveric study examining the effect of flexion and extension of the elbow and pronation and supination of the forearm. Skeletal Radiol 27:419–426

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Spinner RJ, Goldner RD (1998) Snapping of the medial head of the triceps and recurrent dislocation of the ulnar nerve. J Bone Joint Surg 80A:239–247

    Google Scholar 

  47. Yanagisawa H, Okada K, Sashi R (2001) Posterior interosseous nerve palsy caused by synovial chondromatosis of the elbow joint. Clin Radiol 56:510–514

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA

    Lynne S. Steinbach

  2. Department of Radiology, University Hospital Balgrist, Zurich, Switzerland

    Marco Zanetti

Authors
  1. Lynne S. Steinbach
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Marco Zanetti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Radiology, Orthopedic University, Hospital Balgrist, Zurich, Switzerland

    J. Hodler

  2. Kilchberg, Switzerland

    Ch. L. Zollikofer

  3. Zurich, Switzerland

    Ch. L. Zollikofer

  4. Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland

    G. K. Von Schulthess

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2009 Springer-Verlag Italia

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Steinbach, L.S., Zanetti, M. (2009). Elbow Imaging with an Emphasis on MRI. In: Hodler, J., Zollikofer, C.L., Von Schulthess, G.K. (eds) Musculoskeletal Diseases 2009–2012. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-1378-0_3

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-1378-0_3

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Milano

  • Print ISBN: 978-88-470-1377-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-88-470-1378-0

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation