The Role of Sonography in Differentiating Full Versus Partial Distal Biceps Tendon Tears: Correlation With Surgical Findings

Abstract

Ultrasound can play a role in the diagnosis of elbow injuries when a distal biceps brachii tendon tear is suspected.

Chronic Partial Rupture of Distal Biceps Tendon in an Adolescent―A Case Report

“…The proximal zone 1 is supplied by the brachial artery, zone 2 is approximately 2 cm proximal to insertion and represents a relatively hypovascular zone and distal zone 3 is supplied by the posterior recurrent artery [16]. Seiler et al proposed that the mechanical impingement of the muscle during rotation and the relatively hypovascular zone 2 may contribute to distal biceps tendon tears [11] [16].…”

“…The mechanism of injury to the distal biceps brachii tendon in majority of the patients is chronic degenerative changes in the tendon that disrupt the normal architecture of the tendon and makes it more vulnerable to rupture when sudden flexion of elbow or sudden eccentric contraction of the biceps brachii muscle is applied against resistance [1] [4]- [6] [11]. In light of these predisposing factors for a distal biceps tendon injury, it is exceedingly rare to see distal biceps tendon injury in the young population.…”

“…Tears of the distal biceps brachii tendon are less common than tears of the proximal biceps brachii tendon [7] [11]. They occur most frequently in the older adult population aged 40 -60 years and are more common in men [5] [6] [8]- [12].…”

“…They occur most frequently in the older adult population aged 40 -60 years and are more common in men [5] [6] [8]- [12]. Complete tears are relatively common in men and usually traumatic in origin, whereas partial tears of distal biceps tendon are more common in women and usually have an insidious onset [4] [10] [11]. The result for gender disparity in the frequency of distal biceps tendon tear remains unclear [10].…”

Distal biceps tendon injuries

“…Lobo et al reported 95% sensitivity, 71% specificity, and 91% accuracy for the diagnosis of complete versus partial DBT tears. 19 The presence of posterior acoustic shadowing at the DBT had 97% sensitivity, 100% specificity, and 98% accuracy for complete tear versus normal tendon. 19 …”