Introduction Ultrasound is useful in assessing patients with snapping syndromes around the elbow joint. The dynamic nature of the examination allows for direct visualisation of the underlying causative factor. Topic description: We discuss the role of dynamic ultrasound in assessing various snapping syndromes around the elbow, such as ulnar nerve instability, snapping triceps and less commonly, snapping brachialis. Ultrasound is also useful in evaluating the distal biceps tendon, particularly in differentiating partial from complete tendon injury. Discussion Ulnar nerve instability and snapping triceps can be assessed via a medial approach with the transducer placed transversely between the medial epicondyle and the olecranon. In ulnar nerve instability, the nerve can be seen crossing over the medial epicondyle on elbow flexion. In snapping triceps syndrome, both the ulnar nerve and the distal triceps can be seen dislocating over the medial epicondyle. Dynamic assessment of the distal biceps tendon using a lateral approach minimises anisotropy artefact often seen on the anterior approach. Passive pronation and supination of the forearm will reveal little or no movement in a completely torn tendon whereas moving tendon fibres will be appreciated in partial tears. In a snapping brachialis, the medial portion of brachialis will be seen abnormally translocating anterolateral to the medial border of the trochlea during elbow flexion and snapping back into its normal position on elbow extension. Conclusion Dynamic ultrasound of the elbow is valuable in diagnosing patients with snapping sensations around the joint and in evaluating the integrity of the distal biceps tendon.

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With increased exposure of patients to routine imaging, incidental benign intrathoracic masses are frequently recognized. Most have classical imaging features, which are pathognomonic for their benignity. The aim of this pictorial review is to educate the reader of radiological features of several types of intrathoracic masses. The masses are categorized based on their location/origin and are grouped into parenchymal, pleural, mediastinal, or bronchial. Thoracic wall masses that invade the thorax such as neurofibromas and lipomas are included as they may mimic intrathoracic masses. All examples are illustrated and include pulmonary hamartoma, pleural fibroma, sarcoidosis, bronchial carcinoid, and bronchoceles together with a variety of mediastinal cysts on plain radiographs, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Sometimes a multimodality approach would be needed to confirm the diagnosis in atypical cases. The study would include the incorporation of radionuclide studies and relevant discussion in a multidisciplinary setting.

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Primary pleuropulmonary synovial sarcoma is a rare malignancy. Commonly described radiologic features in the literature include pleural disease and/or effusion, lack of calcification and high uptake on positron emission tomography computerised tomography. A 68-year-old woman presented with a 3-month history of cough. Imaging studies showed a right upper lobe mass with internal foci of calcification, endobronchial extension, and low fluorodeoxyglucose avidity on positron emission tomography computerised tomography, leading to an initial diagnosis of carcinoid tumor. However, histologic specimens suggested an unexpected diagnosis of aggressive synovial sarcoma, and the case was referred to the sarcoma MDT. Metastatic synovial sarcoma was ruled out, and radical surgical excision of the lesion was performed. This article highlights the multiple atypical features of primary pleuropulmonary synovial sarcoma as seen in this case and reviews imaging findings described in the literature. Radiologists should be aware of this unusual yet aggressive type of sarcoma.

Deep-seated, low-grade lipomatous lesions detected on imaging often cause uncertainty for diagnosis and treatment. Confidently distinguishing lipomas from well-differentiated liposarcomas is often not possible on imaging. The approach to management of such lesions varies widely between institutions. Applying an evidenced-based approach set around published literature that clearly highlights how criteria such as lesion size, location, age and imaging features can be used to predict the risk of well-differentiated liposarcomas and subsequent de-differentiation would seem sensible. Our aim is to review the literature and produce a unified, evidence-based guideline that will be a useful tool for managing these lesions.

Sarcoidosis is an idiopathic inflammatory disorder characterized by the presence of non-caseating tissue granulomas most commonly affecting lungs, lymph nodes and skin. Sarcoid skeletal involvement is relatively uncommon and in particular tenosynovitis. We describe an unusual case of sarcoidosis presenting with granulomatous tenosynovitis as the only manifestation of the disease, illustrating the radiological findings on different modalities followed by a review of the literature. Radiologists and clinicians should be aware of tenosynovitis as a manifestation of sarcoidosis as early and therefore appropriate treatment significantly alters patient's outcome and prognosis.

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