Ulnar collateral ligament injury in the throwing athlete: evaluation with saline-enhanced MR arthrography.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether magnetic resonance (MR) arthrography of the elbow can demonstrate precisely an ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) abnormality in the throwing athlete.


METHODS
Forty college-level and professional throwing athletes (age range, 18-40 years) underwent saline-enhanced MR arthrography of their injured elbows. MR findings were compared with the surgical findings.


RESULTS
Saline-enhanced MR arthrography was positive in 24 of 26 individuals with UCL tear confirmed at the time of surgery. Eighteen (95%) of 19 complete UCL tears and six (86%) of seven partial UCL tears were diagnosed with MR arthrography. Two false-negative findings and no false-positive findings were obtained.


CONCLUSIONS
Saline-enhanced MR arthrography of the elbow is a new application of a previously described technique used in the shoulder. It is useful for demonstration of subtle and gross UCL abnormalities in the throwing athlete.
Schwartz
M L
ML
Department of Radiology, Health-south Medical Center, Birmingham, AL 35205, USA.
al-Zahrani
S
S
Morwessel
R M
RM
Andrews
J R
JR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001175:Arthrography; D017885:Collateral Ligaments / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008297:Male; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D013177:Sports; D014457:Ulna / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
D012965:Sodium Chloride