Evaluation of loose bodies in the elbow with MR imaging

Abstract

The evaluation of loose bodies in the elbow is usually done by means of clinical examination, radiography, and postarthrographic computed tomography (CT). The authors review their experience with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in place of post-arthrographic CT for the evaluation of loose bodies in the elbow. The prospective interpretation of MR studies of the elbow in 20 patients was compared with arthroscopic findings. All elbows were imaged in multiple planes with thin sections, surface coils, and combinations of T1, T2, and proton-density weighting. The sensitivity for showing loose bodies with MR imaging was 100%, and the specificity was 67%. Because this was a nonblinded study, the results are biased and caution must be used when extrapolating these results to the general population. In this limited experience, MR imaging has reliably shown loose bodies in the elbow, and in the authors' institutions has replaced postarthrographic CT for that purpose.

Imaging of the Elbow in the Overhead Throwing Athlete

“…Quinn et al 32 noted that, although MRI was successful in diagnosing 100% of cases of intraarticular loose bodies of the elbow, the specificity was only 67%. Other authors have suggested that the absence of elbow effusion and the small size of loose bodies may decrease the sensitivity of MR imaging, whereas osteophytes and synovial hypertrophy may mimic loose bodies.…”

The detection of loose bodies in the elbow

“…MRI is expensive and observers have difficulty in differentiating between osteophytes and loose bodies. 7 Quinn et al 7 reported a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 67%. We report excellent sensitivity but a low to moderate specificity for the posterior compartment.…”

“…MRI has become popular for diagnosing loose bodies in the elbow. 6,7 The benefits include multiple plane imaging, the avoidance of radiation and the diagnosis of primarily cartilaginous lesions and other lesions such as osteochondritis dessicans. MRI is expensive and observers have difficulty in differentiating between osteophytes and loose bodies.…”

“…Plain radiography, MRI and CT arthrography are often used but there is limited information about the accuracy of these investigations. [3][4][5][6][7] Our aim, therefore, was to determine the usefulness of these techniques in the evaluation of loose bodies in the elbow.…”

Arthroscopie du coude : pathologies intra-articulaires

“…Ce bilan radiographique standard a une sensibilité de 79 % et une spécificité de 69 % [1]. L'arthrographie en revanche est très sensible (100 %) mais peu spécifique (71 %) tout comme l'IRM [1,2].…”