Radiography of the elbow for evaluation of patients with osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum.
OBJECTIVE
This study was performed to determine the ability of a routine radiographic examination of the elbow to detect osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum and associated intra-articular loose bodies.


METHODS
The study group consisted of 15 patients with osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum confirmed by surgery or magnetic resonance imaging. Seven of the 15 patients had associated intra-articular loose bodies confirmed by surgery. All 15 patients had anteroposterior and lateral radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging of their symptomatic elbow. Nine of the 15 patients had subsequent elbow surgery. We reviewed the original interpretations of the radiographic examinations of the elbow of all 15 patients to determine whether osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum and associated intra-articular loose bodies had been identified prospectively. We also reviewed the elbow radiographs of all 15 patients to determine whether osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum and associated intra-articular loose bodies could be identified retrospectively.


RESULTS
Osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum was detected during the initial interpretations of the radiographic examinations of the elbow in seven of 15 patients. Osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum was detected during retrospective review of the elbow radiographs in 10 of 15 patients. Intra-articular loose bodies were detected during the initial interpretations of the radiographic examinations of the elbow in three of seven patients. Intra-articular loose bodies were detected during retrospective review of the elbow radiographs in four of seven patients.


CONCLUSIONS
A routine radiographic examination of the elbow has limited sensitivity for detecting osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum and associated intra-articular loose bodies.
Kijowski
Richard
R
Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin Hospital, Clinical Science Center E3/311, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792-3252, USA. rkijowski@mail.radiology.wisc.edu
De Smet
Arthur A
AA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006811:Humerus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D007594:Joint Loose Bodies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D010008:Osteochondritis Dissecans / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D011859:Radiography; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity