title: The role of sonography in differentiating full versus partial distal biceps tendon tears: correlation with surgical findings.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of ultrasound for distinguishing complete rupture of the distal biceps tendon versus partial tear and versus a normal biceps tendon. Surgical findings were used as the reference standard in cases of tear. Clinical follow-up was used to assess the normal tendons.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study population consisted of 45 consecutive elbow ultrasound cases with surgical confirmation and six cases of a clinically normal distal biceps tendon that underwent elbow ultrasound for suspicion of injury to a structure other than the biceps tendon. Cases underwent consensus review by two fellowship-trained musculoskeletal radiologists. Tendons were classified as normal biceps tendon, partial tear, or complete tear. The presence or absence of posterior acoustic shadowing at the distal biceps tendon was also assessed. The ultrasound findings were then compared with the surgical findings and clinical follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ultrasound showed 95% sensitivity, 71% specificity, and 91% accuracy for the diagnosis of complete versus partial distal biceps tendon tears. Posterior acoustic shadowing at the distal biceps had sensitivity of 97% and accuracy of 91% for indicating complete tear versus partial tear and sensitivity of 97%, specificity of 100%, and accuracy of 98% for indicating complete tear versus normal tendon.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ultrasound can play a role in the diagnosis of elbow injuries when a distal biceps brachii tendon tear is suspected.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Hospital, 1500 E Medical Center Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
authors.forename: Lucas Da Gama
authors.initials: Lda G
authors.lastname: Lobo
authors.forename: David P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Fessell
authors.forename: Bruce S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Aine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Jee Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brandon
authors.forename: Jon A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Jacobson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004550:Elbow / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012421:Rupture; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D014463:Ultrasonography; D000092464:Elbow Injuries