Detection of intraarticular bodies of the elbow with saline arthrosonography.

AIM

To assess whether ultrasound with intraarticular injection of saline increases the detection of intraarticular bodies of the elbow.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Twelve patients (age range 21-42 years, mean 29 years; 8 male, 4 female) referred over a 2-year period with an equivocal history of elbow locking and plain radiographs had a joint injection of at least 12 ml of sterile saline during ultrasound examination. No patient had a joint effusion before injection. Surgical correlation was available in six patients.

RESULTS

Ten patients had intraarticular bodies but these were demonstrated only after joint injection in six patients. Arthroscopy performed in six patients confirmed intraarticular bodies in five. Radiographs were falsely positive in one and falsely negative in seven patients.

CONCLUSION

Joint injection improves the sonographic evaluation and conspicuity of small and radiographically occult intraarticular loose bodies in the clinically equivocal elbow. The procedure is simple, quick, well tolerated and reproducible.