Magnetic resonance imaging findings in tubercular arthritis of elbow.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of tubercular involvement of elbow joint.

METHODS: Fourteen patients with tubercular arthritis of elbow were evaluated. The following findings were recorded on MRI (n=12): bones involved; erosions, intraosseous abscesses, synovial thickening, and effusion; hypointensity within the thickened synovium on T2-weighted images; and periarticular soft tissue changes.

RESULTS: The common abnormalities on MRI were synovial thickening and bone erosions (n=12), soft tissue (n=9)/intraosseous (n=5) abscesses, and T2 hypointensity within the thickened synovium (n=5).

CONCLUSIONS: A diagnosis of elbow tuberculosis should be considered if there is a combination of findings involving bone and soft tissue.