title: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Good Samaritan Hospital and Medical Center, Portland, OR 97210.
authors.forename: S F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Quinn
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Haberman
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Fitzgerald
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Traughber
authors.forename: R I
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: Belkin
authors.forename: W T
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Murray
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007594:Joint Loose Bodies / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed