title: Ultrasound versus palpation guidance for intra-articular injections in patients with degenerative osteoarthritis of the elbow.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to evaluate the accuracy rate of ultrasound (US) -guided intra-articular (IA) injections in patients by posterior approach with osteoarthritis (OA) of the elbow.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty patients with physical examination and radiographic findings of elbow OA were included. After US-guided IA or palpation-guided IA injection of iohexol contrast by posterior approach into the elbow joint, fluoroscopic images were obtained to ascertain whether the injected material had reached the IA space.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 40 injections performed by US guidance, 40 were confirmed to have been placed in the IA space (an accuracy rate of 100%). Thirty-one of the 40 injections performed by the palpation guidance were IA space (77.5% accuracy rate).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  US-guided IA elbow injections by posterior approach may raise the accuracy rate in elbow joint injections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Tai Kon
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Ji Hae
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Ki Deok
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Sang Chul
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jaeki
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.forename: Yongbum
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D003287:Contrast Media; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D007472:Iohexol; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010173:Palpation / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D007472:Iohexol
keywords: elbow; injection; joints; musculoskeletal; ultrasound