Sonographic assessment of osteochondritis dissecans of the humeral capitellum

The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of sonography for revealing osteochondritis dissecans of the humeral capitellum.

Twenty-seven patients with capitellar osteochondritis dissecans (27 males; range, 11-20 years; mean age, 14 years) underwent radiography and sonography performed with a 7.5-MHz mechanical sector probe. Lesions were assessed as stable or unstable. The sonographic assessment was compared with radiographic assessment in 27 patients, MR assessment obtained in 10, and surgical findings in 15.

Sonographic assessment agreed with radiographic assessment in 23 of the 27 patients, MR assessment in nine of the 10, and surgical findings in 14 of the 15. Sonography revealed that two lesions, which had been underestimated on radiography, were unstable.

Sonography facilitates the assessment of capitellar lesions so that treatment can be optimized.