Modifications of the elbow induced by the practice of handball on radiography, US and MRI

The objective of this study was to evaluate plain radiographs, US and MRI in detection of occult lesions of the elbow in asymptomatic handball players. Comparative plain films of both elbows were obtained in an anteroposterior and lateral projection. A bilateral comparative ultrasound examination was performed with measurement of the thickness of the flexor and extensor tendons, the triceps tendon, the lateral collateral ligament and the anterior bundle of the medial collateral ligament (MCL). Echogenicity of these structures was evaluated. Articular recesses were scanned for fluid and loose bodies. Axial and coronal MRI of the dominant elbow was performed using a T1W sequence after intravenous injection of gadolinium 30 minutes before the examination and by a FISP 3D T2W echo gradient sequence in coronal plane and reconstruction in a sagittal plane. Twenty-eight male asymptomatic members of the national handball team with 7 to 25 years of experience and undergoing 3 to 4 training sessions per week were studied. Paraphysiological modifications such as hypertrophy of bone and muscles were evidenced. Flexion deformity of the elbow was present even in the youngest players, but valgus deformity occurred preferentially in the more experienced players. US was more efficient in detection of small loose bodies and gave more precise information on the structure of the MCL and the tendons compared with MRI. Plain film and US were sufficient for the detection of chronic lesions of the elbow. MRI did not add significant findings.