A sonographic technique to evaluate the anterior bundle of the ulnar collateral ligament of the elbow: imaging features and anatomic correlation.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to test a sonographic technique used to view the anterior bundle of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), describe its sonographic characteristics in healthy volunteers, and verify these characteristics by determining interobserver variability and their correlations in cadavers. METHODS: Sonographic studies of the anterior bundle of the UCL were performed on 48 elbows of asymptomatic healthy volunteers. The participants were examined by 3 experts, who identified the insertion sites of the anterior bundle and subjectively evaluated its echogenicity and echo texture. A sonographic examination of the anterior bundle of the UCL in a cadaveric elbow was performed, and the same aspects were evaluated. RESULTS: In all cases, the anterior bundle of the UCL appeared as a triangular structure in the coronal plane and had a hyperechoic homogeneous echo texture in most of these cases. The cadaveric elbow had the same sonographic characteristics as the volunteers. CONCLUSIONS: As shown by examining the interobserver variability and determining the correlation with cadaveric tissue, sonography proved to be a reliable tool for evaluating the normal aspects of the anterior bundle of the UCL.