A 17-year old soccer-player sustained a fracture and dislocation of the ulnar epicondyle combined with a bone bruises at the radial head and the capitellum. An open reduction and internal fixation was performed using two K-wires. Initial recovery was uneventful. After the operation he was discharged home and reviewed on a regular basis. When bony union had occurred the two K-wires were removed. However, on follow up he continued to complain of pain on the radial aspect of the joint and did not regain his normal range of movement. A further MRI was performed. Now a grade II osteochondritis dissecans not visible on the previous MRI taken 12 weeks earlier was clearly visualised. Treatment was continued conservatively with physiotherapy but avoiding aggressive mobilisation. On final review 6 months later he was able to move painfree with residual limitation of movement (ROM 0-5-130 degrees). Another MRI taken now was assessed as normal.
TOF-MRA can replace the duplex-doppler examination in the preoperative assessment of the carotids and has the potential to streamline the preoperative time schedule. Similar to duplex and doppler, in order to be accurate enough the method requires a high degree of expertise from the radiologist.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the leading diagnostic procedure for disk pathology and has overtaken other imaging modalities in frequency of use. However, one must be cautious not to overinterpret small abnormalities that are also frequent in asymptomatic subjects. There is conflicting evidence about the correlation of high-intensity zones with clinical symptoms. Bulging disks and protrusions are a common finding in asymptomatic individuals, whilst extrusions are almost always accompanied by back pain and sciatica. In patients with back pain or sciatica, MRI is indicated after failure of conservative management or neurological deterioration. Contrast-enhanced MRI is well suited to differentiate a recurrent disk extrusion from epidural fibrosis. In all cases suspicious of tumor or infection, MRI is indicated as a first-line investigation. The indications and pitfalls of the state of the art of MRI are delineated in this article.
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