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Study shows increased MRI signal in symptomatic, asymptomatic elbows with enthesopathy
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Patients with enthesopathy of the extensor carpi radialis brevis who had symptomatic and asymptomatic elbows commonly had increased MRI signal, according to recently published results.
To identify signal changes in the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) origin, researchers searched MRI reports of 3,374 patients (60% men) who underwent an MRI scan, including the elbow, and reviewed medical records for symptoms consistent with ECRB enthesopathy. Researchers calculated prevalence of incidental and symptomatic signal changes, which was also stratified by age.
Results showed 11% of patients with MRI scans without a clinical suspicion of tennis elbow had signal changes in ECRB origin, and 76% of patients who had an MRI for lateral-sided elbow pain had ECRB origin signal changes. Researchers noted an increase in prevalence from 5.7% in patients aged between 18 years and 30 years to 16% in patients aged 71 years and older. The incidental finding of ECRB enthesopathy on elbow MRI scans was independently associated with older age, according to results. Multivariable logistic regression analyses showed an association between male sex and incidental common extensor enthesopathy, as well as a variation in the rate of incidental signal changes in the common extensor origin among race and indications for obtaining an MRI scan. – by Casey Tingle
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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