Abstract
Due to its superficial location, pathology in the posterior elbow is readily evaluated with ultrasound. The posterior recess may distend with effusion or synovitis from inflammatory joint conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and spondyloarthropathy. Synovial hypertrophy from pigmented villonodular synovitis and synovial chondromatosis may also be evident. The sonographer may detect bony damage from rheumatoid arthritis or capitellum osteochondritis dissecans, the latter affecting cartilage and bone due to repetitive trauma. The triceps tendon is depicted and may show evidence of a tear, tendinosis, or even enthesitis. Olecranon bursitis, although clinically apparent, is better defined sonographically and may show crystal deposition. Aspiration or injection of the olecranon bursa using ultrasound guidance improves accuracy and ensures complete drainage. Ulnar nerve compression, while occurring in the posterior elbow, is described in Chap. 9.
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Greenberg, M.H., Day, A.L., Alradawi, S. (2023). Posterior Elbow. In: Manual of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-37416-6_7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-37416-6_7
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