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The biceps crease interval for diagnosing complete distal biceps tendon ruptures.

ABSTRACT: Complete distal biceps tendon ruptures require prompt surgical management for optimal functional and aesthetic outcome. The need exists for a valid and reliable diagnostic tool to expedite surgical referral. We hypothesized complete distal biceps tendon ruptures result in an objectively measurable anatomic landmark (the distance between the antecubital crease of the elbow and the cusp of distal descent of the biceps muscle, or the biceps crease interval), as a result of proximal retraction of the musculotendinous complex. We established normal biceps crease interval values and biceps crease ratios between dominant and nondominant arms in 80 men with no history of biceps injury (average age, 43 years). The mean (+/- standard deviation) biceps crease interval for dominant and nondominant arms was 4.8 +/- 0.6 cm. The mean biceps crease ratio was 1.0 +/- 0.1. We measured the biceps crease interval and biceps crease ratio on 29 consecutive patients presenting with a possible complete distal biceps tendon rupture. Using a diagnostic threshold of a biceps crease interval greater than 6.0 cm or biceps crease ratio greater than 1.2, the biceps crease interval test had a sensitivity of 96% and a diagnostic accuracy of 93% for identifying complete distal biceps tendon ruptures, making it a valid and reliable tool for clinicians to identify cases requiring urgent surgical referral.Level II, diagnostic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

SUBMITTER: ElMaraghy A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2492996 | biostudies-other | 2008 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

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Project description:BackgroundChronic tendon retraction subsequent to distal biceps tendon rupture significantly increases repair difficulty and potential for tendon grafting. Biceps tendons that appear short or absent with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or that cannot be readily identified at surgery may erroneously be classified as irreparable. These apparent "absent" biceps tendons may actually be retracted and curled up inside the muscle, visually resembling the head-neck of a turtle retracted inside its shell (the "turtle neck sign"). When located, these tendons could be unfolded and repaired primarily. This type of tendon retraction seems to be associated with high-degree ruptures and larcertus fibrosus tears.PurposeTo test the hypothesis that tendon retractions with a turtle neck sign on MRI are more associated with high-degree ruptures and larcertus fibrosus tears versus tendon tears with simple linear retraction.Study designCross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.MethodsRetracted distal biceps tendon ruptures on sagittal MRI were categorized as linear retraction or curled-up (turtle neck) retraction. Retraction length, injury severity, and lacertus fibrosus tears were analyzed.ResultsThe authors retrospectively analyzed the patient records of 85 consecutive traumatic distal biceps tendon ruptures from 2003 to 2019; the final study cohort was 37 patients. Injury-to-surgery timing was as follows: <3 weeks, 43% (16 cases); 3 weeks to 3 months, 32% (12 cases); and >3 months, 24% (9 cases). Overall, 19 patients had linear retraction <7 cm (mean, 3.3 ± 1.9 cm) and 18 patients had a turtle neck retraction ≥7 cm (mean, 9.1 ± 1.6 cm). The injury-to-surgery time (median [± interquartile range]) was 27 days (±90 days) in the linear retraction group and 23 days (±65 days) in the turtle neck retraction group. The turtle neck retraction group had a significantly higher occurrence of abnormal hook test findings, complete distal biceps tendon rupture, and lacertus fibrosus tears compared with the linear retraction group (100% vs 58%, 100% vs 68%, and 100% vs 37%, respectively; P ≤ .02). However, significant repairability differences were not found.ConclusionHighly retracted distal biceps turtle neck sign tendon ruptures occur frequently in association with high-degree ruptures and lacertus fibrosus tears. The presence of a turtle neck retraction did not affect reparability. Surgeons should be aware of this curled-up retraction to avoid mistaking it for an absent tendon or a muscle-tendon disruption.

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The biceps crease interval for diagnosing complete distal biceps tendon ruptures.

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