Triangular fibrocartilage and ligamentous injury of the wrist joint: Does MR arthrography improve diagnosis over standard MRI?

Abstract

Objective: To detect the added value of magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA) over MRI in different triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) and intrinsic wrist ligament lesions. Patients and methods: MRI and MRA were achieved in 57 patients presented with wrist pain. Another symptompless Ten control individuals with negative MRI and MRA findings were included. Images were assessed for the presence of TFCC, scapholunate ligament (SCL) and lunotriquetral ligament (LTL) lesions. Imaging findings were compared with arthroscopic findings in all cases. Results: Out of fifty-seven patients, 38 males (66.6%) and 19 females (33.3%) (age range 19–61 years (mean = 34.3 years) were included in the study, The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of MRI and MRA for TFCC peripheral tears were 79.16%, 100%, 85.29% and 91.66%, 100%, and 94.11% respectively, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of MRI and MRA for TFCC central tears were 60%, 100%, 80% and 90%, 100%, and 95% respectively. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of MRI and MRA for SCL partial tears were 63.15%, 100%, 75.86% and 94.73%, 100% and 96.55%, respectively. For LTL partial tears, the values were 20%, 100%, 73.33% and 80%, 100%, and 93.33% respectively. Conclusion: MR arthrography is highly accurate for the evaluation of TFCC and ligamentous injury of the wrist joint.

Keywords

• Wrist pain
• MR arthrography
• TFCC
• Ligaments