Objective To assess the diagnostic accuracy of direct wrist MR arthrography (MRA) compared to conventional MRI in diagnosis of different pathologic entities causing chronic wrist pain. Materials and methods 37 consecutive patients 22 males and 15 females, with age range from 16 to 49 years "mean age 28 years" complaining of unexplained chronic wrist pain were prospectively examined by using MRI and MRA with arthroscopic correlation in 25 of them. Findings were divided into 5 main groups of lesions including triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) lesions, ligamentous injuries, osseous lesions, tendon pathology and ganglion. Results MRA picked up more ligamentous injuries and triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) lesions that couldn`t be detected on MRI study while both were equal in detection of other types of lesions. TFCC lesions were the most common pathologic findings in both MRI and MRA. Arthroscopic correlation in 25 suspected TFCC lesions (clinically, radiologically or both) revealed that the sensitivity / specificity / accuracy of MRI and MRA were 87.5% / 100% / 96% and 100% / 100% / 100% respectively for central lesions while were 71.4% / 81.3% / 76% and 100% / 90.9% / 96% respectively For peripheral lesions. Extra-capsular lesions, like tenosynovitis and fracture hook of hamate couldn`t be confirmed arthroscopically. Conclusion MRA can replace both MRI and diagnostic arthroscopy in detecting causes of chronic wrist pain.

BackgroundMR arthrography (MRA) is commonly used in the assessment of shoulder internal derangements. Correct intra‐articular contrast injection is required for this modality. Anterior injections under fluoroscopic, ultrasound‐guidance, or without image‐guidance have been described in the literature. However, no simultaneous comparison has been performed between the three techniques.PurposeTo compare the accuracy and performance of fluoroscopy (FL)‐guided, ultrasound (US)‐guided and non‐image‐guided intra‐articular contrast injection via an anterior approach for performing shoulder MRA.Study TypeProspective.SubjectsTwo‐hundred and ten patients (180 men and 30 women; mean age, 33 ± 12 years; range 20–60 years) with clinically suspected shoulder pathology.Field Strength/Sequence1.5T/fat‐suppressed T1‐weighted, T2‐weighted, and 3D‐gradient‐echo images.AssessmentPatients underwent shoulder MRA after anterior intra‐articular contrast injection under FL‐ or US‐guidance or without image‐guidance. Patients were randomized among the three techniques with each group comprising 70. The techniques were compared according to the accuracy of intra‐articular needle placement, attempts success rate, pain during and 24 hours after injection, procedure times, contrast extravasation rate, joint distension, and MRA diagnostic efficacy. Pain was assessed by the visual analog scale (VAS) pain‐score.Statistical TestsPearson's chi‐squared and Kruskal–Wallis tests.ResultsFL‐ and US‐guided injections (100% accuracy) were significantly more accurate than non‐image‐guided (85.7% accuracy) (P < 0.05). US‐guidance was the least painful, with statistical differences between image‐guided and non‐image‐guided techniques regarding the first attempt success rate (95.7% and 92.8% for FL‐ and US‐guided vs. 78.6% for blinded), VAS‐score 24 hours‐post‐procedure (1.7 ± 1.7, and 1.5 ± 1.4 vs. 2.2 ± 1.4), procedure time (11.9 ± 1.6, and 7.4 ± 1.7 vs. 4.3 ± 0.76 minutes), and contrast extravasation rate (5.7%, and 8.6% vs. 30%) (all P < 0.05). Procedure time was also significantly different between FL and US‐guidance (P < 0.05).Data ConclusionImaging‐guided injections are more accurate and tolerable than non‐image‐guided and should be considered to confirm intra‐articular needle position, hence adequate capsular distension and good diagnostic quality of shoulder MRA. US guidance is a less painful, rapid, and safe alternative to the FL approach.Evidence Level: 2Technical Efficacy Stage: 5.J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2021;53:481–490.

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Background Postmenstrual spotting has recently been related to a discontinuation of the myometrium at the site of a previous cesarean section called "CS scar niche". There was no consensus regarding the gold standard method for the assessment of the niche. Recently, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has shown promise in the evaluation of the niche. Our study aims to assess the role of MRI in the evaluation of the CS scar niche characters and its association with post-menstrual spotting. Results A total of 65 patients with CS niche were prospectively included in this study and subdivided into two groups, according to presence or absence of postmenstrual spotting (Group A; 34 patients with postmenstrual spotting and Group B; 31 patients without spotting). All patients were examined using a 1.5 T MRI unit. CS scar niche volume was significantly higher among women with post-menstrual spotting (0.57 ± 0.07 vs. 0.07 ± 0.05 (cm3); P < 0.001). Also, women with post-menstrual spotting have significantly higher scar length (9.38 ± 3.06 vs. 5.02 ± 2.10 (mm); P < 0.001), scar depth (6.95 ± 3.16 vs. 3.23 ± 0.99 (mm); P < 0.001), scar width (15.78 ± 3.94 vs. 9.87 ± 1.84 (mm); P < 0.001) in comparison to those without post-menstrual spotting. Scar depth (> 7.4 mm) had 81% sensitivity and 97% specificity for prediction of post-menstrual spotting with overall accuracy was 88.7%. While scar width (> 12.8 mm) had 71% sensitivity and 97% specificity for prediction of post-menstrual spotting with overall accuracy was 83.3%. Scar volume (> 0.15 cm3) had 97% sensitivity and 100% specificity for prediction of post-menstrual spotting with overall accuracy was 98.4%. Conclusion MRI measures (CS scar volume, depth, and width) are predictors for postmenstrual spotting in patients with CS scar niche, and scar volume is the most powerful predictor.