Magnetic resonance imaging findings in tubercular arthritis of elbow

ObjectiveTo evaluate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of tubercular involvement of elbow joint.MethodsFourteen 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.ResultsThe 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).ConclusionsA diagnosis of elbow tuberculosis should be considered if there is a combination of findings involving bone and soft tissue.