Sonographic diagnosis of distal biceps tendon rupture: a prospective study of 25 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the sonographic findings of distal biceps tendon ruptures and to assess the accuracy of the technique.

METHODS: Twenty-five patients with clinically indicated distal biceps tendon ruptures were prospectively studied by sonography. Five patients also underwent magnetic resonance imaging. Surgical confirmation was obtained in 14 patients.

RESULTS: Seventeen complete tendon ruptures and 3 partial tears were correctly shown by sonography; 1 complete rupture was incorrectly shown as a partial tear by sonography. Sonographic features of complete rupture were absence of tendon in the expected location, fluid collection in a typical tendon gap, and a mass in the antecubital fossa. Sonographic features of incomplete rupture were intratendinous hypoechogenicity and tendon thinning. Peritendinous fluid was found in complete and incomplete ruptures.

CONCLUSIONS: In distal biceps tendon ruptures, sonography is a cost-effective method that can confirm the clinical indications with good accuracy and can show tendon lesions when the clinical indications are low.