MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING OF THE ELBOW

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides useful information regarding the elbow joint. Many abnormalities seen in the elbow are a result of trauma, often from sports such as baseball and tennis. Elbow problems are frequently related to the medial tension-lateral compression phen omenon where repeated valgus stress produces flexor-pronator strain, u lnar collateral ligament sprain, ulnar traction spurring, and ulnar ne uropathy. The lateral compression causes osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum and radial head, degenerative arthritis, and loose bodi es. Other elbow abnormalities seen on MRI include radial collateral li gament injuries, biceps and triceps tendon injuries, other nerve entra pment syndromes, loose bodies, osseous and soft tissue trauma, arthrit is, and masses, including bursae. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Lt d.