Sonographic diagnosis of distal biceps tendon rupture: a prospective study of 25 cases.

Abstract

Objective. To describe the sonographic findings of distal biceps tendon ruptures and to assess the accuracy of the technique. Methods. Twenty-five patients with clinically indicated distal biceps tendon ruptures were prospectively studied by sonography. Five patients also underwent magnetic resonance imaging. Surgical confirmation was obtained in 14 patients. Results. Seventeen complete tendon ruptures and 3 partial tears were correctly shown by sonography; 1 complete rupture was incorrectly shown as a partial tear by sonography. Sonographic features of complete rupture were absence of tendon in the expected location, fluid collection in a typical tendon gap, and a mass in the antecubital fossa. Sonographic features of incomplete rupture were intratendinous hypoechogenicity and tendon thinning. Peritendinous fluid was found in complete and incomplete ruptures. Conclusions. In distal biceps tendon ruptures, sonography is a cost-effective method that can confirm the clinical indications with good accuracy and can show tendon lesions when the clinical indications are low.

Die distale Bizepssehnenruptur

“…Eine Sonographie kann bei klinisch unklaren Fällen durch Hämatom-bzw. Flüssigkeitsnachweis den Verdacht einer distalen Bizepssehnenruptur erhärten [9], ist aber als definitives Diagnosekriterium stark von der Erfahrung des Untersuchers abhängig.…”

Ultrasound of the elbow: Examination techniques and US appearance of the normal and pathologic joint

“…In complete ruptures the clinical examination reveals swelling of the antecubital fossa related to the retracted muscle and local edema. If the lacertus fibrosus is not torn, retraction of the proximal stump may be less evident [9,10]. Clinical findings in cases of partial rupture are definitely less remarkable and specific.…”

Improved visualization of the radial insertion of the biceps tendon at ultrasound with a lateral approach

“…This often results in difficulty to obtain diagnostic images of the distal part of the tendon and the insertion on the radius. This problem is related to the course of the distal part of the biceps in the depth away from the transducer [6,7]. Alternative approaches with ultrasound have been described [2].…”