Sonographic diagnosis of distal biceps tendon rupture: a prospective study of 25 cases

To describe the sonographic findings of distal biceps tendon ruptures and to assess the accuracy of the technique.

Twenty-five patients with clinically indicated distal biceps tendon ruptures were prospectively studied by sonography. Five patients also underwent magnetic resonance imaging. Surgical confirmation was obtained in 14 patients.

Seventeen complete tendon ruptures and 3 partial tears were correctly shown by sonography; 1 complete rupture was incorrectly shown as a partial tear by sonography. Sonographic features of complete rupture were absence of tendon in the expected location, fluid collection in a typical tendon gap, and a mass in the antecubital fossa. Sonographic features of incomplete rupture were intratendinous hypoechogenicity and tendon thinning. Peritendinous fluid was found in complete and incomplete ruptures.

In distal biceps tendon ruptures, sonography is a cost-effective method that can confirm the clinical indications with good accuracy and can show tendon lesions when the clinical indications are low.