MRI of Normal Variants and Interpretation Pitfalls of the Elbow

One of the fundamental principles of MR imaging interpretation is the ability to distinguish normal anatomical landmarks from true disease. The radiologist is thus compelled to accumulate a comprehensive knowledge of normal structures, variants, and potential MRI diagnostic pitfalls.1-5 In this article we will focus on a number of normal bony, ligamentous, and tendinous structures that can simulate disease at the elbow. We discuss the particular anatomy responsible for the appearance of each of these interpretation pitfalls as well as the distinguishing features between these normal variants and true disease.