Collateral ligaments of the elbow: conventional MR imaging and MR arthrography with coronal oblique plane and elbow flexion.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the best plane and position of the elbow for optimal visualization of normal and abnormal collateral ligaments with conventional magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and MR arthrography, to determine the normal appearance of the collateral ligaments at MR arthrography and to assess use of MR arthrography in evaluation of collateral ligamentous lesions.


METHODS
Nine cadaveric elbow specimens were imaged with and without intraarticular administration of gadolinium-containing solution in several planes that were identified as potentially useful in a pilot study in two specimens. MR imaging findings were compared with anatomic findings.


RESULTS
Normal and abnormal ligaments were best depicted in a 20 degrees posterior oblique coronal plane in relation to the humeral shaft with the elbows extended and a coronal plane aligned with the humeral shaft with the elbows slightly flexed (20 degrees-30 degrees of flexion). Gadolinium enhancement improved the delineation of normal and abnormal ligaments on T1-weighted images in each case.


CONCLUSIONS
The posterior oblique coronal plane with the elbows extended or the coronal plane aligned with the humeral shaft with the elbows slightly flexed allows accurate assessment of the collateral ligaments. Gadolinium-enhanced MR arthrography of the elbow seems to be a promising technique.
Cotten
A
A
Department of Radiology, Veterans Administration Center, San Diego, CA 92161, USA.
Jacobson
J
J
Brossmann
J
J
Pedowitz
R
R
Haghighi
P
P
Trudell
D
D
Resnick
D
D
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017885:Collateral Ligaments / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D003287:Contrast Media; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D005682:Gadolinium; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D004369:Pentetic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives
D003287:Contrast Media; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D005682:Gadolinium; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA