Magnetic resonance imaging in lateral epicondylitis of the elbow

The purpose of the study was to determine the changes that might be detected using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on patients with chronic lateral epicondylitis of the elbow and to judge its value concerning the clinical treatment. Thirty-four patients with chronic lateral epicondylitis were included in a prospective study. All individuals underwent MRI of the elbow on a 0.2-T dedicated system. The MRI findings were interpreted by an independent radiologist without knowledge of the clinical findings. In 6 surgical cases an additional histological study was done. The biopsy of the extensor tendon was performed for correlation with the MRI. In 21 of 34 symptomatic patients, increased signal changes in T-1- and T-2-weighted images were seen. In a further 11 cases, the morphology and signal intensity were normal. The histopathological analysis of 6 surgical cases confirmed the preoperative MRI findings by showing either focal fibrous degenerative tendon tissue or microruptures of collagenous fibres. MRI in patients with chronic lateral epicondylitis can help to differentiate the disease and may be of use in clinical management, preoperative planning, and in the evaluation of the degree of degeneration at the common extensor tendon insertion.