Table 1 Pooled diagnostic validity of musculoskeletal ultrasound abnormalities in elbows with LE

Over-all GS changes

3 [25, 28, 31]

0.77 (0.69-0.84)

0.81,0

3 [25, 28, 31]

0.73 (0.66-0.80)^$

0.08,61

PDU + GS changes

4 [26, 27, 31]

0.69 (0.64-0.73)

<0.0001,97

4 [26, 27, 31]

0.82 (0.76-0.86)^$

<0.001,85

Hypoechogenicity (criterion A)

2 [25, 30]

0.65 (0.56-0.73)

0.74, 0

0

NA

NA

Hypoechogenicity (criterion B using RTSE)

3 [16]

0.64 (0.55-0.73)

<0.0001,89

3 [16]

0.96 (0.91-0.99)^$

<0.01,82

Hypoechogenicity (criterion A with probe)

3 [18, 25, 30]

0.64 (0.56-0.72)

0.80,0

2 [18, 25]

0.82 (0.72-0.90)^$

0.61,0

Calcifications

3 [26–28]

0.33 (0.28-0.38)

<0.0001,96

3 [26–28]

0.97 (0.94-0.99)^#

0.16,45

Neovascularity (PDU)

2 [27, 31]

0.26 (0.21-0.32)

<0.0001,98

2 [27, 31]

1.00 (0.97-1.00)^$

0.10,63

Thickness (criterion A)

2 [30, 31]

0.42 (0.32-0.53)

<0.01,88

0

NA

NA

Thickness (criterion B)

4 [27, 28]

0.51 (0.47-0.55)

<0.0001, 95

4 [27, 28]

0.80 (0.75-0.84)^#

<0.0001, 94

Enthesopathy

2 [25]

0.38 (0.29-0.47)

<0.0001, 98

0

NA

NA

Cortical irregularities (criterion A)

2 [28, 30]

0.20 (0.14-0.29)

0.53,0

0

NA

NA

Cortical spurs (criterion A)

2 [30, 34]

0.13 (0.07-0.21)

0.03, 78

0

NA

NA

Bone changes (cortical irregularities or spurs) (criterion A)

2 [27, 31]

0.56 (0.50-0.62)

0.41,0

2 [27, 31]

0.84 (0.78-0.88)^$

<0.0001, 96

Cortical irregularities (criterion A with sonographic probe-induced tenderness)

3 [26, 28, 30]

0.20 (0.14-0.27)

0.79,0

2 [26, 28]

0.96 (0.88-0.99)^#

0.34,0

Partial tear

2 [30, 35]

0.29 (0.12-0.27)

0.02,80

0

NA

NA

Full tear

2 [30, 35]

0.02 (0.00-0.06)

0.14,55

0

NA

NA