Arthrografie Ellenbogen

The elbow:

review of anatomy and common collateral ligament complex pathology using MRI. Sagittal FS T1-weighted direct MR arthrographic images (a, b), coronal FS T1-weighted direct MR arthrographic image (c), and axial FS T1-weighted direct MR arthrographic images (d–f) showing a proximal partial-thickness proximal tear of the anterior bundle of the medial collateral ligament complex (short arrow), disruption and stripping of the posterior and lateral capsular structures (white asterisks), intra-articular bodies (long arrows), and full-thickness defect at the posterior joint line (arrowhead). Note ulnohumeral incongruity (a) and radiocapitellar incongruity (b)

Overuse-related

instability of the elbow: the role of CT-arthrography. In-plane US-guided contrast agent injection using a posterior access. The spinal needle is guided through the triceps tendon, with an approximate 30° angle between the needle and the probe in order to obtain an optimal visualization of the needle tip advancing to the posterior articular recess

Overuse-related

instability of the elbow: the role of CT-arthrography. In-plane US-guided intra-articular injection (a). The spinal needle is clearly visible as a hyperechoic linear image, as the tip (white arrow) approaches the designed target. The posterior articular recess (asterisk) expands as contrast agent is injected, becoming visible as a hypoechoic sac, confirming the appropriateness of the procedure (b)

Overuse-related

instability of the elbow: the role of CT-arthrography. The patient is positioned prone on the CT scanning table, with the affected upper limb elevated over the head and with a 45° flexion of the elbow

Overuse-related

instability of the elbow: the role of CT-arthrography. CT-arthrography coronal images (a–d) and axial images (e–h) belonging to four different patients, three of which display different aspects of ligament derangement involving the A-MCL (white arrows). Intact anterior band (A-MCL) of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) complex (a, e and b, f). Widening of the medial aspect of the articular recess, associated to a “bow-shaped” loose A-MCL, with no evidence of fiber tearing, suggestive of ligament laxity (b, f). Thickened and irregular A-MCL, showing a partial-thickness tear (c, g) and a full-thickness tear (d, h); contrast agent progressively spills through the ligament, as fibers are gradually disrupted as a consequence of micro-tearing and damage progresses from a partial to a complete tear

Overuse-related

instability of the elbow: the role of CT-arthrography. Professional tennis player with micro-tearing of the anterior band (A-MCL). Oblique coronal reformatted images depicting the A-MCL along its longitudinal axis, up to its insertion at the sublime tubercle (ST), highlight a thickened ligament (asterisk) with multiple strands of contrast enhancement within its fibers, due to micro-tearing (white arrows)

Overuse-related

instability of the elbow: the role of CT-arthrography. Professional tennis player with chronic medial elbow pain, exacerbated during serve, not responsive to medical and physical treatments. MRI coronal fat-suppressed T2-weighted images (a) show a high-intensity signal at the anterior bundle (A-MCL), suggestive of partial tear (black arrows). CT-arthrography reformatted images along the major axis of the anterior bundle (b) demonstrate a thickened but continuous ligament (white arrows). US scan prior to contrast agent injection (c) confirms diagnosis by showing a thickened, hypoechoic ligament with irregular margins, although regularly inserted (yellow arrows)

Overuse-related

instability of the elbow: the role of CT-arthrography. CT-arthrography sagittal (a) and axial (b–d) images of two different patients with valgus extension overload (VEO) syndrome, showing osteophyte formation (b, c) over the medial aspect of the olecranon (white arrows) and an intra-articular loose body (d) located medially at the posteromedial recess (green arrow). Synovial thickening associated to synovitis (a, b) is also noticeable (yellow arrows)

Overuse-related

instability of the elbow: the role of CT-arthrography. Posterolateral rotatory instability (PLRI) sagittal, coronal and axial images (a–c). Full-thickness tear of the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) complex (white arrows) with extra-articular leakage of iodinated contrast medium within fibers of the common extensor tendon (asterisks)