Computed tomography of the normal and traumatized elbow

To study the role of CT in the radiographic evaluation of the elbow, a technique was developed for producing axial scans of the elbow in flexed and extended positions. Computed tomography was performed on a total of 75 patients with acute or subacute elbow injuries. All scans were compared to their respective plain radiographs, and results correlated with each patient's clinical management. Based on these observations, six radiographic criteria were developed which, when present, should prompt further study of the elbow by CT. Under these six conditions, the information provided by CT may change the diagnosis and subsequent management of a patient's injuries.