Rupture of the distal biceps tendon: Evaluation with MR imaging

Abstract

PURPOSE: To assess the usefulness of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the diagnosis of distal biceps tendon ruptures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR images of the elbow in 20 patients with suspected distal biceps injury were retrospectively reviewed along with those of eight asymptomatic volunteers. Surgical confirmation was obtained in nine cases. RESULTS: MR imaging helped diagnose 10 complete ruptures with depiction of the absence of the tendon distally (n = 10), a fluid-filled tendon sheath (n = 9), an antecubital fossa mass (n = 3), muscle edema (n = 3), and atrophy (n = 2). Six partial tears were depicted with high signal intensity within the tendon (n = 6), fluid in the biceps tendon sheath (n = 6), and thinning (n = 3) or thickening (n = 3) of the distal tendon. Of the remaining patients, one each had tendinosis, tenosynovitis, a biceps hematoma, and a brachialis contusion. CONCLUSION: MR imaging helped confirm distal biceps tendon ruptures because it distinguished complete from partial ruptures and other entities that may mimic rupture.