Do we need MR images for diagnosing tendon ruptures of the distal biceps brachii? The value of ultrasonographic imaging.

AIM: To assess the usefulness of ultrasound in the diagnosis of rupture of the distal biceps brachii muscle by demonstrating the clear differentiation between the distal biceps muscle and the surrounding soft tissue in a standardized section of the elbow.
METHOD: Under sonographic guidance five biceps muscles of three cadavers were marked with a needle in the region of the elbow joint. Thereafter an anatomical preparation of the distal biceps brachii muscle followed to verify the correct positioning of the needle. Real time ultrasound was performed with a 7.5 MHz linear array transducer. The standard section of the elbow and the images on the screen correspond to the guidelines provided by the German Society of Ultrasonography in the Locomotor Apparatus (DEGUM).
RESULTS: In all five cases the needle tip could be found in the middle of the distal biceps muscle. It was possible to perform a sonographically guided puncture of the muscle and to differentiate between distal biceps brachii and surrounding soft tissues using a high resolution transducer of the newest generation in ultrasound technology.
CONCLUSION: Our investigation confirmed our clinical ultrasound findings in distal biceps tendon ruptures. The echo-intense signal is replaced by a hypoechogenic signal representing the haematoma in the area of the distal biceps brachii muscle. In addition to the clinical examination in case of a ruptured distal biceps muscle ultrasound of the elbow is a valuable and reliable imaging method to support the diagnosis. MRI of the elbow is not always necessary to confirm the diagnosis.