Ji Hyun Koo MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Ki Jeong Park MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Yu Jin Oh MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Sang-Hee Choi MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the normal range of lateral synovial plica of the elbow joint and propose the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging diagnostic criterion of symptomatic lateral synovial plica syndrome.

We retrospectively reviewed 13 consecutive patients referred for operation for symptomatic lateral synovial plica syndrome of the elbow joint at our institution between November 2005 and August 2010. Patients who did not have preoperative elbow MR imaging or could not follow up for more than six months were excluded. On coronal and sagittal images, we measured the width of plica and calculated the width of plica-to-the width of radial head ratio which compared to those of normal control group. We evaluated whether there is significant difference between control group and symptomatic patients. Cut-off value of the width of synovial plica was also evaluated.

In lateral synovial plica syndrome group, the mean widths of plica were 6.2 mm, 6.5 mm respectively on coronal and sagittal images. On control group the mean widths of plica were 3.6 mm, 4.8 mm respectively on coronal and sagittal images. The mean widths of plica-to-radial head ratio were on patient group 0.29, 0.29 on coronal and sagittal images, respectively. The mean widths of plica-to-radial head ratio were on control group 0.16, 0.21on coronal and sagittal images, respectively. The width of plica and the width of plica-to-radial head ratio were significantly higher than those of the control group (p < 0.05). Cut-off value for diagnostic criteria of lateral synovial plica syndrome were 4.4 mm on coronal (sensitivity, 100%, specificity, 76%, positive predictive value, 52%, negative predictive value, 100%, accuracy, 81%) and 5.6 mm on sagittal images (sensitivity, 69%, specificity, 68%, positive predictive value, 36%, negative predictive value, 89%, accuracy, 68%).

In patients who had symptomatic lateral synovial plica syndrome, the width of plica and the width of plica-to-radial head ratio are significantly higher than those of the control group. Cut-off value for diagnostic criteria of synovial plica can be applied for preoperative diagnosis of lateral synovial plica syndrome.

Cut-off value for diagnostic criteria of synovial plica can be applied for preoperative diagnosis of lateral synovial plica syndrome.

Koo, J, Park, K, Oh, Y, Choi, S, Diagnosis of Lateral Synovial Plica Syndrome of the Elbow Joint: The Size Criterion of Synovial Plica on MR Imaging.  Radiological Society of North America 2012 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 25 - November 30, 2012 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2012/12032059.html