Objective. The aim of this work was to determine if a correlation between lateral epicondylitis
and abnormalities of the lateral ulnar collateral ligament is found on MR imaging.
Subjects and Methods. The Study group comprised 50 consecutive patients who were referred for MR imaging to rule out lateral epicondylitis. On MR imaging “lateral epicondylitis" was defined as increased signal intensity of the extensor tendons close to their insertion on the lateral epicondylitis. The severity of the lateral epicondylitis was graded as mild, moderate or severe. The origin of the lateral colleteral ligamantous complex was characterized and the lateral ulnar collateral ligament was normal, thickened, partially torn or torn. Sixteen patients underwent elbow surgery after the initial MR examination.
Results. In 15 patients, MR imaging revealed characteristics of mild lateral epicondylitis. In 13 of these patients the lateral ulnar collateral ligament was normal. One patient showed a thickened lateral ulnar collateral ligament and one patient had a thinned ligament.
In 17 patients, MR imaging showed features of moderate lateral epicondylitis. One patient had a thinned ligament feature of moderate lateral epicondylitis. In 14 of these patients, the lateral ulnar collateral ligament was thickened and in the remaining three patients, the ligament was normal
All eighteen patients with severe lateral epicondylitis showed abnormalities of the lateral ulnar collateral ligament on MR imaging.
In two of these patients, the lateral ulnar collateral ligament was thickened. In Six patients we saw a partial tear, and in the remaining ten patients we saw a complete tear of the ligament.
Conclusion. In our study, MR imaging features of lateral epicondylitis were offen associated with thickening and tear of the lateral ulnar collateral ligament and the frequency and severity of lateral ulnar collatered ligament lesions were directly related the severity (degree) of lateral epicondylitis.