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Abstract |
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Lateral
Ulnar Collateral ligament Lesions in patients with Lateral Epicondylitis: MR
Imaging Findings. Mohamed Farouk Aggag*and Ragy Tantawi
Amin**
*Radio diagnosis Department, El Azhar University, ** Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Department, El Azhar University Abstract: Objective.
The aim of this work was to determine if a correlation between lateral
epicondylitis and abnormalities of the lateral ulnar collateral ligament is
found on MR imaging. Subjects
and Methods. The Study group comprised 50 consecutive patients who were referred
for MR imaging to rule out lateral epicondylitis. On MR imaging “lateral
epicondylitis” was defined as increased signal intensity of the extensor
tendons close to their insertion on the lateral epicondylitis. The severity of
the lateral epicondylitis was graded as mild, moderate or severe. The origin
of the lateral colleteral ligamantous complex was characterized and the
lateral ulnar collateral ligament was normal, thickened, partially torn or
torn. Sixteen patients underwent elbow surgery after the initial MR
examination. Results.
In 15 patients, MR imaging revealed characteristics of mild lateral
epicondylitis. In 13 of these patients the lateral ulnar collateral ligament
was normal. One patient showed a thickened lateral ulnar collateral ligament
and one patient had a thinned ligament. In 17 patients, MR imaging showed features of moderate lateral epicondylitis. One patient had a thinned ligament feature of moderate lateral epicondylitis. In 14 of these patients, the lateral ulnar collateral ligament was thickened and in the remaining three patients, the ligament was normal All
eighteen patients with severe lateral epicondylitis showed abnormalities of
the lateral ulnar collateral ligament on MR imaging. In
two of these patients, the lateral ulnar collateral ligament was thickened. In
Six patients we saw a partial tear, and in the remaining ten patients we saw a
complete tear of the ligament. Conclusion.
In our study, MR imaging features of lateral epicondylitis were offen
associated with thickening and tear of the lateral ulnar collateral ligament
and the frequency and severity of lateral ulnar collatered ligament lesions
were directly related the severity (degree) of lateral epicondylitis. |
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