Posterolateral rotatory instability of the elbow: usefulness of MR imaging in diagnosis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the assessment of the normal and abnormal ulnar band of the lateral collateral ligament for diagnosis of posterolateral rotatory instability.


METHODS
In nine symptomatic patients and nine asymptomatic subjects, MR imaging was performed with three-dimensional gradient-recalled and fast spin-echo sequences. The nine patients had clinical symptoms suggestive of subtle elbow instability.


RESULTS
The components of the lateral collateral ligament were identified; tears of the ulnar band were noted in all symptomatic patients. The anterior fibers of the lateral collateral ligament, including the annular ligament, were intact. All symptomatic patients subsequently underwent surgical exploration and reconstruction. Positive clinical findings were demonstrated at examination performed while the patients were under anesthesia. All tears of the ulnar band were confirmed.


CONCLUSIONS
With use of appropriate pulse sequences, MR imaging is an effective tool in the preoperative, noninvasive diagnosis of posterolateral rotatory instability.
Potter
H G
HG
Department of Radiology, Hospital for Special Surgery-Cornell University Medical Center, New York, NY 10021, USA.
Weiland
A J
AJ
Schatz
J A
JA
Paletta
G A
GA
Hotchkiss
R N
RN
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017885:Collateral Ligaments / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology*; D004551:Elbow Joint; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010808:Physical Examination; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012399:Rotation; D013484:Supination