MR ASSESSMENT OF POSTTRAUMATIC FLEXION CONTRACTURE OF THE ELBOW

Preoperative assessment of posttraumatic flexion contracture of the el bow includes plain radiographs and tomograms, which are difficult to o btain in the coronal plane due to the contracture, We conducted this s tudy to determine the usefulness of MR imaging in the work-up of these patients. Twelve patients with flexion contracture of the elbow were studied. In addition to standard spin-echo sequences, a sagittally acq uired spoiled gradient-recalled echo 3D data set of the flexed elbow w as obtained and reformatted coronally using a cured plane of reconstru ction. The MR findings were compared to the plain films, tomograms and surgical results. MRI allowed identification of loose bodies that wer e sometimes poorly visualized, or not seen, on plain films, and demons trated degenerative changes equally as well as tomograms. MR showed so ft tissue abnormalities including capsular and collateral ligament thi ckening. Curvilinear reconstructions were helpful in the assessment of collateral ligaments in patients with severe contractures. We conclud e that MR is useful in the evaluation of elbow flexion contractures, p articularly in assessing soft tissue causes.