Magnetic resonance imaging in lateral epicondylitis of the elbow

The purpose of the study was to determine the changes that might be detecte d using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on patients with chronic lateral e picondylitis of the elbow and to judge its value concerning the clinical tr eatment. Thirty-four patients with chronic lateral epicondylitis were inclu ded in a prospective study. All individuals underwent MRI of the elbow on a 0.2-T dedicated system. The MRI findings were interpreted by an independen t radiologist without knowledge of the clinical findings. In 6 surgical cas es an additional histological study was done. The biopsy of the extensor te ndon was performed for correlation with the MRI. In 21 of 34 symptomatic pa tients, increased signal changes in T-1- and T-2-weighted images were seen. In a further 11 cases, the morphology and signal intensity were normal. Th e histopathological analysis of 6 surgical cases confirmed the preoperative MRI findings by showing either focal fibrous degenerative tendon tissue or microruptures of collagenous fibres. MRI in patients with chronic lateral epicondylitis can help to differentiate the disease and may be of use in cl inical management, preoperative planning, and in the evaluation of the degr ee of degeneration at the common extensor tendon insertion.