title: Ulnar collateral ligament injury in the throwing athlete: evaluation with saline-enhanced MR arthrography.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Health-south Medical Center, Birmingham, AL 35205, USA.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Schwartz
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: al-Zahrani
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Morwessel
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Andrews
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D012965:Sodium Chloride