A Comparison of the Findings of Wrist Arthroscopy and Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Investigation of Wrist Pain

Abstract

Between 1996 and 1999, 54 patients with wrist pain had magnetic resonance imaging performed using a 1.5 Tesla scanner without a wrist coil. Wrist arthroscopy was performed using a standard technique. The findings were then compared. Magnetic resonance imaging had a low sensitivity for the detection of triangular fibrocartilage complex injuries (0.44) and scapholunate ligament injuries (0.11) when wrist arthroscopy was used as the standard of reference. We conclude that when a magnetoresonance technique that does not employ a dedicated wrist coil is used, a negative magnetic resonance imaging scan does not exclude these two significant injuries.

Efficacy of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Clinical Tests in Diagnostics of Wrist Ligament Injuries: A Systematic Review

“…When MRI techniques that do not use a dedicated wrist coil are used, a negative MRI scan does not exclude TFCC and SL ligament injuries. 19 More experienced, dedicated radiologists are important, 18 and ulnar peripheral TFCC tears are known, and proven in our review, to be especially difficult to detect. It is even more difficult to detect partial interosseous ligament tears (SL and LT) with MRI, even when secondary findings are taken into account.…”

“…19,20 Four studies were blinded, that is, the radiologist was not aware of the arthroscopic findings and diagnosis. 14,16-18 Six of the studies investigated the TFCC, 14,15,17-20 of which 1 study also examined the accuracy of locating the injury.…”

“…19,20 Four studies were blinded, that is, the radiologist was not aware of the arthroscopic findings and diagnosis. 14,[16][17][18] Six of the studies investigated the TFCC, 14,15,[17][18][19][20] of which 1 study also examined the accuracy of locating the injury. 19 Three studies investigated the SL ligament, 17,19,20 2 examined the LT ligament, 17,20 and 1 evaluated the performance of diagnosing partial SL and LT ligament injuries.…”

“…14,[16][17][18] Six of the studies investigated the TFCC, 14,15,[17][18][19][20] of which 1 study also examined the accuracy of locating the injury. 19 Three studies investigated the SL ligament, 17,19,20 2 examined the LT ligament, 17,20 and 1 evaluated the performance of diagnosing partial SL and LT ligament injuries. 16 One study also compared the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of standard-resolution 1.5-T MRI with highresolution MRI, 14 and 1 study investigated 3-T MRI compared with MRI arthrography.…”

High-resolution 3 T MRI of traumatic and degenerative triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) abnormalities using Palmer and Outerbridge classifications

“…This is likely because high-resolution MRI sequences were used, including a 3D isotropic sequence with a dedicated wrist coil and both raters in the present study were experienced radiologists sub-specialised in musculoskeletal radiology. As Morley et al 15 stated, a negative MRI examination does not exclude TFCC injuries when a dedicated wrist coil is not used. Specialised wrist MRI techniques including a dedicated wrist coil, high magnetic field The frequency of (a) traumatic and (b) degenerative MRI findings among patients at each decade of age.…”