 Diagnostic imaging plays a key role in the assessment of acute elbow pain. A thorough understanding of diagnostic imaging modalities is essential to expeditiously identify the damaged structures and assist in treatment/surgical planning, thus allowing for rapid return to play/activity. In a more recent study, the same authors tested joint widening on cadaveric human elbows at various stages of ligamentous transection. The 5 sequential stages, evaluated with varus stress, included 1) intact, 2) transection of the lateral ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), 3) complete transection of the lateral collateral ligament complex, 4) transection of the anterior aspect of the capsule, and 5) transection of the medial collateral ligament. The 5 sequential stages, evaluated by valgus stress, included 1) intact, 2) transection of the anteromedial collateral ligament, 3) complete transection of the medial collateral ligament, 4) transection of the anterior capsule, and 5) transection of Reprint requests to: publications@acr.org Acute Elbow and Forearm Pain the lateral collateral ligamentous complex. The authors concluded that dynamic fluoroscopy makes it possible to distinguish among different stages of collateral ligament injury of the elbow [5]. OR Discussion of Procedures by Variant Variant 1: Adult. Acute elbow or forearm pain. Initial imaging. Bone Scan Area of Interest There is no evidence to support the use of 3-phase bone scan as the initial imaging study for the evaluation of acute elbow and forearm pain. CT Area of Interest With IV Contrast There is no evidence to support the use of contrast-enhanced CT of the elbow/proximal forearm as the initial imaging study for the evaluation of acute elbow and forearm pain. CT Area of Interest Without and With IV Contrast There is no evidence to support the use of noncontrast/contrast-enhanced CT of the elbow/proximal forearm as the initial imaging study for the evaluation of acute elbow and forearm pain.
Acute Elbow and Forearm Pain.  Diagnostic imaging plays a key role in the assessment of acute elbow pain. A thorough understanding of diagnostic imaging modalities is essential to expeditiously identify the damaged structures and assist in treatment/surgical planning, thus allowing for rapid return to play/activity. In a more recent study, the same authors tested joint widening on cadaveric human elbows at various stages of ligamentous transection. The 5 sequential stages, evaluated with varus stress, included 1) intact, 2) transection of the lateral ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), 3) complete transection of the lateral collateral ligament complex, 4) transection of the anterior aspect of the capsule, and 5) transection of the medial collateral ligament. The 5 sequential stages, evaluated by valgus stress, included 1) intact, 2) transection of the anteromedial collateral ligament, 3) complete transection of the medial collateral ligament, 4) transection of the anterior capsule, and 5) transection of Reprint requests to: publications@acr.org Acute Elbow and Forearm Pain the lateral collateral ligamentous complex. The authors concluded that dynamic fluoroscopy makes it possible to distinguish among different stages of collateral ligament injury of the elbow [5]. OR Discussion of Procedures by Variant Variant 1: Adult. Acute elbow or forearm pain. Initial imaging. Bone Scan Area of Interest There is no evidence to support the use of 3-phase bone scan as the initial imaging study for the evaluation of acute elbow and forearm pain. CT Area of Interest With IV Contrast There is no evidence to support the use of contrast-enhanced CT of the elbow/proximal forearm as the initial imaging study for the evaluation of acute elbow and forearm pain. CT Area of Interest Without and With IV Contrast There is no evidence to support the use of noncontrast/contrast-enhanced CT of the elbow/proximal forearm as the initial imaging study for the evaluation of acute elbow and forearm pain.