Sonographic assessment of osteochondritis dissecans of the humeral capitellum

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of sonog raphy for revealing osteochondritis dissecans of the humeral capitellum. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. Twenty-seven patients with capitellar osteochondritis dissecans (27 males; range, 11-20 years; mean age, 14 years) underwent rad iography and sonography performed with a 7.5-MHz mechanical sector probe. L esions were assessed as stable or unstable. The sonographic assessment was compared with radiographic assessment in 27 patients, MR assessment obtaine d in 10, and surgical findings in 15. RESULTS. Sonographic assessment agreed with radiographic assessment in 23 o f the 27 patients, MR assessment in nine of the 10, and surgical findings i n 14 of the 15. Sonography revealed that two lesions, which had been undere stimated on radiography, were unstable. CONCLUSION. Sonography facilitates the assessment of capitellar lesions so that treatment can be optimized.