CT Area of Interest Without IV Contrast There is no evidence to support the use of noncontrast CT of the elbow/proximal forearm as the initial imaging study for the evaluation of acute elbow and forearm pain. MRI Area of Interest Without and With IV Contrast There is no evidence to support the use of noncontrast/contrast-enhanced MRI of the elbow/proximal forearm as the initial imaging study for the evaluation of acute elbow and forearm pain. MRI Area of Interest Without IV Contrast There is no evidence to support the use of contrast-enhanced MRI of the elbow/proximal forearm as the initial imaging study for the evaluation of acute elbow and forearm pain. Radiography Area of Interest Radiographs are beneficial as the initial imaging assessment for acute elbow and proximal forearm pain. Conventional radiographs are often the first-imaging modality used to exclude a fracture or dislocation. In adults, the most frequent fracture involves the radial head or neck and accounts for 50% of cases [1]. An elbow joint effusion can be identified on conventional radiography with the presence of posterior and anterior fat pad elevation. In combination with the clinical context of acute trauma, the presence of a joint effusion can imply an occult elbow fracture. Avulsion fractures can also be identified at the attachment sites of tendons and ligaments. Occasionally, triceps tendon tears may result in avulsion fractures of the olecranon or an olecranon enthesophyte. Injuries to the coronoid process are sequela of prior elbow dislocation, which is typically associated with soft tissue injury. As such, coronoid process fractures should prompt the referring provider to assess for associated tendon or ligament injury because these are commonly associated with elbow dislocation. US Area of Interest There is limited evidence to support the use of ultrasound (US) of the elbow/proximal forearm as the initial imaging study for the evaluation of acute elbow and forearm pain. Acute Elbow and Forearm Pain
Acute Elbow and Forearm Pain. CT Area of Interest Without IV Contrast There is no evidence to support the use of noncontrast CT of the elbow/proximal forearm as the initial imaging study for the evaluation of acute elbow and forearm pain. MRI Area of Interest Without and With IV Contrast There is no evidence to support the use of noncontrast/contrast-enhanced MRI of the elbow/proximal forearm as the initial imaging study for the evaluation of acute elbow and forearm pain. MRI Area of Interest Without IV Contrast There is no evidence to support the use of contrast-enhanced MRI of the elbow/proximal forearm as the initial imaging study for the evaluation of acute elbow and forearm pain. Radiography Area of Interest Radiographs are beneficial as the initial imaging assessment for acute elbow and proximal forearm pain. Conventional radiographs are often the first-imaging modality used to exclude a fracture or dislocation. In adults, the most frequent fracture involves the radial head or neck and accounts for 50% of cases [1]. An elbow joint effusion can be identified on conventional radiography with the presence of posterior and anterior fat pad elevation. In combination with the clinical context of acute trauma, the presence of a joint effusion can imply an occult elbow fracture. Avulsion fractures can also be identified at the attachment sites of tendons and ligaments. Occasionally, triceps tendon tears may result in avulsion fractures of the olecranon or an olecranon enthesophyte. Injuries to the coronoid process are sequela of prior elbow dislocation, which is typically associated with soft tissue injury. As such, coronoid process fractures should prompt the referring provider to assess for associated tendon or ligament injury because these are commonly associated with elbow dislocation. US Area of Interest There is limited evidence to support the use of ultrasound (US) of the elbow/proximal forearm as the initial imaging study for the evaluation of acute elbow and forearm pain. Acute Elbow and Forearm Pain