Top

Japanese Journal of Radiology

Published in:

01-04-2016 | Original Article

Incidence of elbow injuries in adolescent baseball players: screening by a low field magnetic resonance imaging system specialized for small joints

Authors: Yoshikazu Okamoto, Kiyoshi Maehara, Tetsuya Kanahori, Takashi Hiyama, Takashi Kawamura, Manabu Minami

Published in: Japanese Journal of Radiology | Issue 4/2016

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this preliminary study was to examine the capability of screening for elbow injuries induced by baseball using a low field small joint MRI system.

Materials and methods

Sixty-two players in the 4th–6th elementary school grades, with ages ranging from 9 to 12 years, participated in this study. Screening for elbow injuries was performed using a low-magnetic-field (0.2-T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system designed for examinations of small joints of the extremities. Gradient-echo coronal, sagittal, and short-tau inversion recovery (STIR) coronal images of the dominant arm used for pitching were obtained to identify medial collateral ligament (MCL) injuries with or without avulsion fracture and osteochondritis dissecans.

Results

All 62 examinations were performed successfully, with 26 players (41.9 %) showing positive findings, all being confined to the MCL. No child showed bone damage. All criteria in the MRI evaluation of injuries showed high agreement rates and kappa values between two radiologists.

Conclusion

Screening for early detection of elbow injuries in junior Japanese baseball players can be successfully performed using a low-field MRI system specialized for small joints. The percentage of MCL injury without avulsion fracture was unexpectedly high (41.9 %).

Edwards H, Smith D. Sideline assessment and return-to-play decision-making for an acute elbow ulnar collateral ligament sprain. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2013;8:212–5.PubMedPubMedCentral

McFarland EG, Ireland ML. Rehabilitation programs and prevention strategies in adolescent throwing athletes. Instr Course Lect. 2003;52:37–42.PubMed

Harada M, Takahara M, Mura N, Sasaki J, Ito T, Ogino T. Risk factors for elbow injuries among young baseball players. J Shoulder Elb Surg. 2010;19:502–7.CrossRef

Harada M, Takahara M, Sasaki J, Mura N, Ito T, Ogino T. Using sonography for the early detection of elbow injuries among young baseball players. Am J Roentgenol. 2006;187:1436–41.CrossRef

Watanabe C, Hukunishi K, Otsuka H, Okamoto M, Abe M. Ultrasonographic evaluation of the elbow among young baseball players [in Japanese]. Nippon Seikeigeka Gakkai Zasshi. 2001;75:364.

Ekizos A, Papatzika F, Charcharis G, Bohm S, Mersmann F, Arampatzis A. Ultrasound does not provide reliable results for the measurement of the patellar tendon cross sectional area. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2013;23:1278–82.CrossRefPubMed

Patil P, Dasgupta B. Role of diagnostic ultrasound in the assessment of musculoskeletal diseases. Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis. 2012;4:341–55.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Salvo JP, Rizio L, Zvijac JE, Uribe JW, Hechtman KS. Avulsion fracture of the ulnar sublime tubercle in overhead throwing athletes. Am J Sports Med. 2002;30:426–31.PubMed

Steinbach LS, Fritz RC, Tirman PF, Uffman M. Magnetic resonance imaging of the elbow. Eur J Radiol. 1997;25:223–41.CrossRefPubMed

10.

Tuite MJ, Kijowski R. Sports-related injuries of the elbow: an approach to MRI interpretation. Clin Sports Med. 2006;25:387–408.CrossRefPubMed

11.

Del Grande F, Aro M, Farahani SJ, Wilckens J, Cosgarea A, Carrino JA. Three-Tesla MR imaging of the elbow in non-symptomatic professional baseball pitchers. Skelet Radiol. 2015;44:115–23.CrossRef

12.

Wei AS, Khana S, Limpisvasti O, Crues J, Podesta L, Yocum LA. Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging findings associated with little league elbow. J Pediatr Orthop. 2010;30:715–9.CrossRefPubMed

13.

Greenberg SB, Faerber EN, Aspinall CL, Adams RC. High-dose chloral hydrate sedation for children undergoing MR imaging: safety and efficacy in relation to age. Am J Roentgenol. 1993;161:639–41.CrossRef

14.

Greenberg SB, Faerber EN, Radke JL, Aspinall CL, Adams RC, Mercer-Wilson DD. Sedation of difficult-to-sedate children undergoing MR imaging: value of thioridazine as an adjunct to chloral hydrate. Am J Roentgenol. 1994;163:165–8.CrossRef

15.

Rosenberg DR, Sweeney JA, Gillen JS, Kim J, Varanelli MJ, O’Hearn KM, Erb PA, Davis D, Thulborn KR. Magnetic resonance imaging of children without sedation: preparation with simulation. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 1997;36:853–9.CrossRefPubMed

16.

Takahara M, Shundo M, Kondo M, Suzuki K, Nambu T, Ogino T. Early detection of osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum in young baseball players: report of three cases. J Bone Jt Surg Am. 1998;80:892–7.CrossRef

17.

Janarv PM, Hesser U, Hirsch G. Osteochondral lesions in the radiocapitellar joint in the skeletally immature: radiographic, MRI, and arthroscopic findings in 13 consecutive cases. J Pediatr Orthop. 1997;17:311–4.PubMed

18.

Shellock FG, Bert JM, Fritts HM, Gundry CR, Easton R, Crues JV 3rd. Evaluation of the rotator cuff and glenoid labrum using a 0.2-Tesla extremity magnetic resonance (MR) system: MR results compared to surgical findings. J Magn Reson Imaging. 2001;14:763–70.CrossRefPubMed

19.

Zlatkin MB, Hoffman C, Shellock FG. Assessment of the rotator cuff and glenoid labrum using an extremity MR system: MR results compared to surgical findings from a multi-center study. J Magn Reson Imaging. 2004;19:623–31.CrossRefPubMed

20.

Cevikol C, Karaali K, Esen G, Apaydin A, Ozenci M, Senol U, Bircan O. MR imaging of meniscal tears at low-field (0.35 T) and high-field (1.5 T) MR units. Tani Girisim Radyol. 2004;10:316–9.PubMed

21.

Cotten A, Delfaut E, Demondion X, Lapègue F, Boukhelifa M, Boutry N, Chastanet P, Gougeon F. MR imaging of the knee at 0.2 and 1.5 T: correlation with surgery. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2000;174:1093–7.CrossRefPubMed

22.

Suzuki T, Ito S, Handa S, Kose K, Okamoto Y, Minami M, Sugihara M, Horikoshi M, Tsuboi H, Hayashi T, Goto D, Matsumoto I, Sumida T. New low-field extremity MRI, compacTscan: comparison with whole-body 1.5 T conventional MRI. Mod Rheumatol. 2010;20:331–6.CrossRefPubMed

23.

Ghazinoor S, Crues JV 3rd, Crowley C. Low-field musculoskeletal MRI. J Magn Reson Imaging. 2007;25:234–44 Review.CrossRefPubMed

24.

Glajchen N, Schwartz ML, Andrews JR, Gladstone J. Avulsion fracture of the sublime tubercle of the ulna: a newly recognized injury in the throwing athlete. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1998;170:627–8.CrossRefPubMed

25.

Burge AJ, Gold SL, Potter HG. Imaging of sports-related midfoot and forefoot injuries. Sports Health. 2012;4:518–34.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

26.

Lyman S, Fleisig GS, Waterbor JW, Funkhouser EM, Pulley L, Andrews JR, et al. Longitudinal study of elbow and shoulder pain in youth baseball pitchers. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2001;33:1803–10.CrossRefPubMed

27.

Nachtrab O, Cassar-Pullicino VN, Lalam R, Tins B, Tyrrell PN. Singh Role of MRI in hip fractures, including stress fractures, occult fractures, avulsion fractures. J. Eur J Radiol. 2012;81:3813–23.CrossRefPubMed

28.

Spitz DJ, Newberg AH. Imaging of stress fractures in the athlete. Radiol Clin North Am. 2002;40:313–31.CrossRefPubMed

29.

Wenzke DR. MR imaging of the elbow in the injured athlete. Radiol Clin North Am. 2013;51:195–213.CrossRefPubMed

30.

Geya Y, Kimura T, Fujisaki H, Terada Y, Kose K, Haishi T, et al. Longitudinal NMR parameter measurements of Japanese pear fruit during the growing process using a mobile magnetic resonance imaging system. J Magn Reson. 2013;226:45–51.CrossRefPubMed

31.

Kimura T, Geya Y, Terada Y, Kose K, Haishi T, Gemma H, et al. Development of a mobile magnetic resonance imaging system for outdoor tree measurements. Rev Sci Instrum. 2011;82:053704.CrossRefPubMed

Title: Incidence of elbow injuries in adolescent baseball players: screening by a low field magnetic resonance imaging system specialized for small joints
Authors: Yoshikazu Okamoto
Kiyoshi Maehara
Tetsuya Kanahori
Takashi Hiyama
Takashi Kawamura
Manabu Minami
Publication date: 01-04-2016
Publisher: Springer Japan
Published in: Japanese Journal of Radiology / Issue 4/2016
Print ISSN: 1867-1071
Electronic ISSN: 1867-108X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11604-016-0526-6

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Incidence of elbow injuries in adolescent baseball players: screening by a low field magnetic resonance imaging system specialized for small joints

Abstract

Purpose

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusion

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 4/2016

18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT in Langerhans cell histiocytosis: spectrum of manifestations

A comprehensive review of imaging findings in human cysticercosis

Contribution of metals to brain MR signal intensity: review articles

Chemoradiotherapy for localized extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type, using a shrinking-field radiation strategy: multi-institutional experience

Assessment of brain temperatures during different phases of the menstrual cycle using diffusion-weighted imaging thermometry

Utility of dual source CT with ECG-triggered high-pitch spiral acquisition (Flash Spiral Cardio mode) to evaluate morphological features of ventricles in children with complex congenital heart defects