MR ELBOW 

ELBOW

​Common Histories / Key Words: Ulnar Nerve Impingement, Epicondylitis, Biceps Tear, R/O Fracture, Collateral Ligament Tear, Loose Bodies.
POSITIONING: Supine with upper extremity next to patient's side. Place arm into supination with palm up. Sandbags may be placed on the palm to help reduce motion and retain position.

​AXIAL - 4 cm above the joint and through the bicipital tuberosity of the radius (bicep's tendon insertion) 

elbow_axial

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CORONAL - Use axial image to make slices parallel to the horizontal line drawn between the humeral epicondyles.  


elbow_cor

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SAGITTAL - Use axial image to make slices perpendicular to the horizontal line drawn between humeral epicondyles.  

elbow

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FOV: 14x14 (axial FOV can decrease to 12x12 in most cases)
Matrix: 256x224
Slice Thickness / Spacing: 3.5/0.5 (axial images 4.0/1.0 for coverage if necessary)

ROUTINE

​■   Ax T1, T2 FS
■   Cor T1, PD FS
■   Sag T2 FS

ARTHROGRAM

​■   Ax T1 (NO FS), T2 FS
■   Cor T1 FS, T2 FS
■   Sag T1 FS, T2 FS​

Please see MR MASS - INFECTION - ALL JOINT/EXTREMITIES link for post IV contrast protocol

METAL ARTIFACT - STIR sequences may be substituted in place of T2 FS when metal artifact is present in attempt to improve signal and image quality. Please see link below for additional suggestions.
> MR METAL ARTIFACT