Radiology, Vol 194, 61-63, Copyright © 1995 by Radiological Society of North America
Ulnar collateral ligament: differentiation of displaced and nondisplaced tears with US
IM Noszian, LM Dinkhauser, E Orthner, GM Straub and M Csanady
Department of Radiology II, Hospital of the Sisters of Mercy, Wels, Austria.
PURPOSE: To determine the usefulness of ultrasound (US) in the
differentiation of displaced and nondisplaced tears of the ulnar collateral
ligament (UCL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 7.5-10-MHz linear- array
transducer was used to examine 69 patients in whom a UCL tear was
suspected, 43 of whom also underwent surgery. The US findings were compared
with those obtained at surgery. RESULTS: Results of US corresponded to
results of surgery in 37 of 43 patients. Findings were false-positive in
six patients. Twenty-six patients were treated conservatively with thumb
casts. These patients showed stability and free range of motion at the
first metacarpophalangeal joint at clinical follow-up (9-13 months).
CONCLUSION: Sonography is useful for evaluating nondisplaced and retracted
tears of the UCL and determining the need for surgery.
