If the tendon of the long head
of the biceps is not seen inside the bicipital sulcus10 during the
ultrasound examination, a complete rupture of the long head of the biceps can be
supposed. At the rupture of the long head of the biceps there is a shrinkage of
the tendon and the muscle distally, so it is not possible to find an adequate
structure of the tendon in the
sulcus. This finding is rare at rheumatoid diseases maybe because the tendon is
mostly firmly fixed by granulations in the sulcus11.
10 There is also an empty sulcus at luxation of the
tendon from bicipital sulcus, therefore there is necessary to look for the
tendon in another localization than under normal circumstances.
11 A longitudinal section is more advantageous for the
ultrasound examination of parcial structures.