54-year-old male with right elbow pain. LIGAMENTS: The ulnar collateral ligament appears intact within the limitations of a non arthrogram study. The radial collateral ligament appears intact. TENDONS: There is an ossicle within the common extensor tendon as seen on prior radiographs. There is increased signal intensity within the tendon surrounding this ossicle indicating degeneration and/or partial thickness tearing of the tendon, which appears to have progressed when compared to the prior study. There is minimal increased signal intensity within the origin of the common flexor tendon, which may reflect a mild tendinosis, but is of questionable significance. The triceps tendon appears intact. The biceps and brachialis tendons appear intact.ARTICULAR SURFACES AND BONE: There are tiny osteophytes indicating mild osteoarthritis. There is a small amount of fluid within the elbow but no large effusion. We see no focal osteochondral defects.SURROUNDING STRUCTURES: Markers were placed along the posterior aspect of the elbow. There are numerous foci of signal void along the posterior soft tissues of the elbow presumably representing prior surgery with band-like signal coursing through the subcutaneous fat perhaps representing scarring. The signal intensity of the musculature of the elbow is normal. There is mild increased signal intensity within the ulnar nerve proximal to the cubital tunnel, which could represent a mild neuritis, but the clinical significance of this finding is uncertain.
1. Increased signal intensity within the common extensor tendon at its origin, surrounding an ossicle, indicating degeneration and perhaps partial thickness tearing that is more prominent on the current study than on the prior examination.2. Slight increased signal intensity within the ulnar nerve proximal to the cubital tunnel may represent a mild neuritis, but this is equivocal. We see no findings to suggest impingement of the nerve.3. Foci of metallic susceptibility artifact in the posterior soft tissues of the elbow presumably represent prior surgery.