"MRI "
"Thickening of the common extensor tendon, associated with diffuse heterogeneity and areas of focal hypoechogenicity. There is often associated intra-tendon calcification and bony irregularity at the tendon insertion. The most common finding in a patient with lateral epicondylitis is focal areas of hypoechogenicity with a background of intrinsic tendinopathy. Colour Doppler may show tendon hyperaemia. Dynamic assessment can also be performed to delineate instability."
Expected headings
"Plain radiograph and CT"
"MRI "
"Lateral epicondylitis occurs with a frequency of 7 to 10 times that of medial epicondylitis. As with medial epicondylitis, it typically occurs in the 4th to 5th decades of life. There is no recognised gender predilection."
"Thickening of the common extensor tendon, associated with diffuse heterogeneity and areas of focal hypoechogenicity. There is often associated intra-tendon calcification and bony irregularity at the tendon insertion. The most common finding in a patient with lateral epicondylitis is focal areas of hypoechogenicity with a background of intrinsic tendinopathy. Colour Doppler may show tendon hyperaemia. Dynamic assessment can also be performed to delineate instability."
"Patients often present with lateral elbow pain, tenderness and swelling, which is frequently exacerbated when they grasp objects during wrist extension with resistance. A history of tennis playing or similar racket sports is sometimes elicited, but the condition often results from other repetitive athletic or occupational activities, or without an identifiable cause."
"Histology demonstrates tendinosis, enthesopathy, disorganisation of collagen architecture, mucoid change, fibrosis and variable vascular proliferation."
"partial or even full-thickness tear of the ECRB tendon complicating tendinosis may be encountered in patients with lateral epicondylitis; it is manifested as a fluid-filled gap with or without loss of fibre continuity; tears can sometimes be graded as low, intermediate and high grade depending upon the thickness of tear, i.e. 80% respectively"
"partial or even full-thickness tear of the ECRB tendon complicating tendinosis may be encountered in patients with lateral epicondylitis; it is manifested as a fluid-filled gap with or without loss of fibre continuity; tears can sometimes be graded as low, intermediate and high grade depending upon the thickness of tear, i.e. 80% respectively"
"partial or even full-thickness tear of the ECRB tendon complicating tendinosis may be encountered in patients with lateral epicondylitis; it is manifested as a fluid-filled gap with or without loss of fibre continuity; tears can sometimes be graded as low, intermediate and high grade depending upon the thickness of tear, i.e. 80% respectively"