The bicipital groove of the humerus: sonographic and radiographic correlation

Abstract

 Objective. The objective of this study was to compare ultrasonography (US) and plain radiography in the evaluation of the bicipital groove of the humerus and to determine the accuracy of US in measurement of the width and depth of the groove compared to plain radiography. Patients and methods. Visualization of the groove and its abnormalities in 350 consecutive patients by US and on tangential groove radiographs were compared. The groove was measured prospectively in 45 patients on the ultrasound imaging monitor and retrospectively on groove radiographs without knowledge of the US results. Results. The bony anatomy of the groove was adequately seen with US in 90% of patients (314 of 350) and on groove radiographs in 91% (319 of 350). All 24 shallow and 6 tunnel-shaped grooves were diagnosed with both imaging methods, but osteophytes and erosions could not be reliably demonstrated with US. Conclusion. Sonography was as accurate for evaluation of the dimensions of the bicipital groove as groove radiographs, and both methods had a similar failure rate. Pathological changes of the walls of the groove could not be reliably evaluated with sonography.