Mahesh Prakash1, Pankaj Gupta2, Mandeep Singh Dhillon3, Ramesh Kumar Sen3, Niranjan Khandelwal2. 1. Department of Radiodiagnosis and Imaging, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, 160012, India. Electronic address: image73@gmail.com. 2. Department of Radiodiagnosis and Imaging, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, 160012, India. 3. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, 160012, India.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of tubercular involvement of elbow joint. METHODS: Fourteen patients with tubercular arthritis of elbow were evaluated. The following findings were recorded on MRI (n=12): bones involved; erosions, intraosseous abscesses, synovial thickening, and effusion; hypointensity within the thickened synovium on T2-weighted images; and periarticular soft tissue changes. RESULTS: The common abnormalities on MRI were synovial thickening and bone erosions (n=12), soft tissue (n=9)/intraosseous (n=5) abscesses, and T2 hypointensity within the thickened synovium (n=5). CONCLUSIONS: A diagnosis of elbow tuberculosis should be considered if there is a combination of findings involving bone and soft tissue.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of tubercular involvement of elbow joint. METHODS: Fourteen patients with tubercular arthritis of elbow were evaluated. The following findings were recorded on MRI (n=12): bones involved; erosions, intraosseous abscesses, synovial thickening, and effusion; hypointensity within the thickened synovium on T2-weighted images; and periarticular soft tissue changes. RESULTS: The common abnormalities on MRI were synovial thickening and bone erosions (n=12), soft tissue (n=9)/intraosseous (n=5) abscesses, and T2 hypointensity within the thickened synovium (n=5). CONCLUSIONS: A diagnosis of elbow tuberculosis should be considered if there is a combination of findings involving bone and soft tissue.