A comparative study of 144 baseball players with medial elbow pain evaluated the diagnostic efficacy of ultrasound (US) and MR arthrogram, using surgical and arthroscopic findings as the gold standard. While MR arthrography provides high specificity, and stress ultrasound offers exceptional sensitivity, combining the two modalities maximizes diagnostic certainty.
- MR Arthrography: 81% Sensitivity | 91% Specificity | 88% Accuracy
- Stress Ultrasound: 96% Sensitivity | 81% Specificity | 87% Accuracy
- Combined Approach: 96% Sensitivity | 99% Specificity | 98% Accuracy
The study demonstrates that a combined approach is superior for diagnosing ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27183408/
