Role of Computed Tomography in Evaluation of Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Elbow Joint

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of CT in early detection, location, and extent of osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the elbow joint. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed surgically proved 27 cases of 22 patients with osteochondritis dissecans in elbow joint retrospectively. We compared simple x-ray(elbow AP & lateral) with CT on the basis of staging of OCD of talus by simple x-ray. RESULTS: The frequency of location was as follows:fourteen cases of capitellum, 5 cases of olecranon tip, 5 cases of medial epicondyle, 2 cases of trochlea, and 1 case of olecranon base. Among the 4 cases of normal finding on simple x-ray, CT showed 1 case each of stage I, II, III, and IV OCD and among the 8 cases of stage I on simple x-ray, CT showed 2 cases of stage I, 1 case of stage II, and 5 cases of stage III. Among the 3 cases of stage II on simple x-ray, CT showed 1 case of stage II and 2 cases of stage III. Among the 5 cases of stage III on simple x-ray, CT showed 1 case of stage II, 2 cases of stage III, and 2 cases of stage IV, but it was difficult to detect the presence or absence of attachment between the articular cartilage of mother bone and osteochondral fragment. CT was more accurate than simple x-ray in detection of loose body. CONCLUSION: CT might be an useful imaging modality in early diagnosis of OCD and evaluation of its anatomic location and extent in elbow joint.