Sonography findings in tears of the extensor pollicis longus tendon and correlation with CT, MRI and surgical findings.
We present our experience in the diagnosis of extensor pollicis longus tendon tears using different imaging methods. In the past 2 years, 12 patients (7 males, 5 females) with extension deficit of distal phalanx of thumb were diagnosed with extensor pollicis longus tendon (EPL) rupture by means of different imaging methods. The ultrasound pattern consisted of a gap between tendon stumps occupied by a continuous (eight cases) or discontinuous (four cases) attenuated hypoechoic string. In nine cases, the tendon ends were identified as a thickened stump-like structure. In the other three cases, tendon stumps were attenuated and mixed with atrophic muscle or wrist subcutaneous fat. All ultrasound findings were confirmed by CT, MR and/or surgical findings.
Santiago
Fernando Ruiz
FR
Hospital of Traumatology, Ciudad Sanitaria Virgen de las Nieves, Carretera de Jaen SN, 18013 Granada, Spain. ferusan@telefonica.net
Plazas
Pilar Garófano
PG
Fernández
Juan Miguel Tristán
JM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography