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Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2007; 11(1): 036-047
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-984417
Copyright © 2007 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001 USA.

Cross-Sectional Imaging of Internal Derangement of the Wrist with Arthroscopic Correlation

Viviane Khoury1 , Patrick G. Harris2 , Étienne Cardinal3
  • 1Department of Radiology, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
  • 2Department of Surgery (Division of Plastic Surgery), Hôpital Notre-Dame, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
  • 3Department of Radiology, Hôpital St-Luc, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Publication History

Publication Date:
31 July 2007 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Wrist arthroscopy has become an indispensable tool for the surgeon treating internal derangement of the wrist. The role of arthroscopy in both the diagnosis and treatment of intrinsic ligaments and triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) pathology is well established. Arthroscopy remains a surgical procedure with potential complications, and it does not obviate the need for a careful history, physical examination, and conventional radiography. When the diagnosis remains unclear after these initial investigations, cross-sectional imaging studies play a valuable role in the assessment of internal derangement of the wrist. These studies include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA), and computed tomography arthrography (CTA), the choice of which depends on the specific clinical query. The radiologist must have exact knowledge of the performance of each diagnostic test to select the appropriate one and interpret it in a clinically relevant manner. With continued refinements in the technological aspects of cross-sectional imaging, its potential to replace diagnostic arthroscopy will surely be realized in the near future. This article focuses on the role of cross-sectional imaging and arthroscopy in the evaluation and management of wrist internal derangement, namely of intrinsic ligaments and TFCC pathology.

KEYWORDS

Magnetic resonance imaging - wrist arthroscopy - wrist ligaments - triangular fibrocartilage complex - wrist magnetic resonance arthrography - wrist computed tomography arthrography

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Viviane KhouryM.D. 

Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology, Hôpital Notre-Dame, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal

1560 Sherbrooke Street E., Montreal, Quebec, Canada H2L 4M1

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