Magnetic resonance imaging of injury to the medial collateral ligament of the elbow: A cadaver model

The purposes of this study were to evaluate the usefulness of thin-section 3-dimensional Fourier Transform (3DFT) gradient echo imaging of the medial collateral ligament and to evaluate the usefulness of intraarticular gadoli nium For the detection of tears of the ligament. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed on 5 fresh-frozen cadaveric elbows through use of TI -weight ed and 3DFT gradient echo T2-weighted sequences. The elbows were then arthr oscoped, and lesions were created in the medial collateral ligaments. Magne tic resonance imaging was then repeated with the TI and 3DET sequences. In addition, dilute gadolinium was then injected intraarticularly, and fat-sup pressed TI -weighted images and 3DFT images were obtained. Magnetic resonan ce imaging findings were correlated with the appearance of the dissected li gament. We found that in the prearthroscopy specimens, the ligament was bes t seen on the 3DFT images reformatted into a slightly posteriorly obliqued coronal plane. In the postarthroscopy elbows, 4 full-thickness perforations were detected with the 3DFT sequence; fat-suppressed T1 -weighted images w ith intraarticular gadolinium detected these 4 as well as I partial inner s urface tear. In conclusion, fat-suppressed TI-weighted magnetic resonance a rthrography with gadolinium can provide information regarding inner surface partial tears and small full-thickness perforations.