Tendon pathology in trauma CT imaging: an under-recognized entity

Computed tomography (CT) scans are increasingly ordered in the emergent setting, for diagnosis of occult fractures and treatment planning of known fractures or fracture dislocations. Although having inferior soft tissue contrast resolution compared to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), CT may provide important information regarding tendon pathology that is often under-recognized but may better serve patient outcomes, whether in or out of the operative setting. In this pictorial essay, we present CT cases which demonstrate some of the more commonly encountered tendon abnormalities in patients with acute trauma.