Scuola di Specializzazione in Radiodiagnostica, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20122 Milan, Italy.
IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Unità Operativa di Radiologia Diagnostica ed Interventistica, 20157 Milan, Italy.
Tomography. 2024 Mar 11;10(3):415-427. doi: 10.3390/tomography10030032.
Computed tomography (CT) arthrography is a quickly available imaging modality to investigate elbow disorders. Its excellent spatial resolution enables the detection of subtle pathologic changes of intra-articular structures, which makes this technique extremely valuable in a joint with very tiny chondral layers and complex anatomy of articular capsule and ligaments. Radiation exposure has been widely decreased with the novel CT scanners, thereby increasing the indications of this examination. The main applications of CT arthrography of the elbow are the evaluation of capsule, ligaments, and osteochondral lesions in both the settings of acute trauma, degenerative changes, and chronic injury due to repeated microtrauma and overuse. In this review, we discuss the normal anatomic findings, technical tips for injection and image acquisition, and pathologic findings that can be encountered in CT arthrography of the elbow, shedding light on its role in the diagnosis and management of different orthopedic conditions. We aspire to offer a roadmap for the integration of elbow CT arthrography into routine clinical practice, fostering improved patient outcomes and a deeper understanding of elbow pathologies.
计算机断层扫描（CT）关节造影术是一种快速获取的影像学方法，用于研究肘部疾病。其出色的空间分辨率能够检测到关节内结构的细微病理变化，这使得该技术在软骨层非常小且关节囊和韧带解剖结构复杂的关节中具有极高的价值。新型 CT 扫描仪大大降低了辐射暴露，从而增加了该检查的适应证。肘部 CT 关节造影的主要应用包括评估急性创伤、退行性变以及因反复微创伤和过度使用引起的慢性损伤情况下的关节囊、韧带和骨软骨病变。在这篇综述中，我们讨论了肘部 CT 关节造影的正常解剖学发现、注射和图像采集的技术要点以及可能出现的病理表现，阐明了其在不同骨科疾病的诊断和治疗中的作用。我们希望为将肘部 CT 关节造影术纳入常规临床实践提供指导，以改善患者的预后并加深对肘部病变的理解。
