Diagnostic applications of wrist arthrography

The diagnostic accuracy of X-ray arthrography for triangular fibrocartilaginous complex injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic test accuracy of X-ray arthrography in the detection of TFCC tear. Both published and unpublished databases were searched from their inception to August 2010. All studies comparing the diagnostic accuracy of X-ray arthrography (index test) to arthroscopy (reference standard) for patients with suspected TFCC tears were included in this review. Twelve studies assessing 430 patients (430 wrists) satisfied the eligibility criteria and were included. X-ray arthrography presented with a pooled sensitivity of 76.2% and specificity of 92.5% for the detection of complete TFCC tear. The triple-compartment injection X-ray arthrography was superior to the single-compartment injection technique. To conclude, the diagnostic test accuracy of X-ray arthrography is limited. Neither the single- nor the triple-compartment injection arthrography method is acceptable, given their reported low sensitivities. Further evaluation of the diagnostic test accuracy of Magnetic Resonance Arthrography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging is therefore warranted.

[Imaging diagnostics of ulnar wrist pain]

An exact knowledge of the value of different pictorial diagnostic techniques allows a focussed and rapid diagnosis of ulnar wrist pain. A prerequisite for the choice of the best possible method of investigation is an exact clinical examination. The basic examination involves conventional recording at both the centralised at the symptomatic levels. If there is a suspicion of occult bone lesion, finely focused, magnified graphics, CT or bone scintigraphy should be used, depending on both the problem faced and availability. For tissue or ligament lesions, stress graphics, movement studies or MRT, also with contrast media, should be used. Bone scintigraphy is a suitable method to differentiate between inflammatory tissue and/or bone changes.

Open treatment of stage III Kienböck's disease with lunate revascularization compared with arthroscopic treatment without revascularization

PURPOSE

The goal of this study was to compare the results of open scaphocapitate fusion and revascularization with the results of arthroscopic scaphocapitate fusion and capitate pole excision.

TYPE OF STUDY

Prospective randomized study.

METHODS

Between April 1997 and January 2000, 16 consecutive patients (5 men and 11 women with a mean age of 31 years [range, 18 to 61]) presenting with Kienböck's disease stage IIIA and stage IIIB were randomized to either open scaphocapitate fusion and lunate revascularization (group I) or fully arthroscopic scaphocapitate fusion and capitate pole excision (group II) groups. Cannulated 3.5-mm ASIF screws were used for the purpose of scaphocapitate fixation in both groups. Operation time, hospital stay, time to fusion, range of wrist motion at final follow-up, grip strength, and return to unrestricted activities of daily living were evaluated at 33 months' follow-up.

RESULTS

The mean operating time (153 v 99 minutes), hospital stay (3.6 v 2.3 days), and return to unrestricted daily activities (15 v 5.8 weeks) were shorter in group II. Average time to radiographically evident fusion was shorter in group I (7.25 weeks v 9 weeks). There was a significant increase in grip strength and in range of motion at final follow-up in both groups, and the final grip strength and range of motion was not different between the groups. There were no major complications in either group.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the number of patients was small and the follow-up period was short, arthroscopic scaphocapitate fusion and capitate pole excision in stage IIIA and IIIB Kienböck's disease resulted in shorter operating time, shorter hospital stay, earlier return to unrestricted daily activities, and equal range of motion and grip strength as compared with open scaphocapitate fusion and lunate revascularization. Determination of specific surgical indications for the benefits of arthroscopic treatment of Kienböck's disease must be analyzed in larger studies.

The clinical importance of carpal instabilities following distal radial fractures

A prospective study was undertaken to determine the clinical importance of the different carpal instabilities following dorsally displaced distal radial fractures (Colles' type). All patients were followed for 1 year and a Cooney score and X-ray evaluation were done. Nine different carpal instabilities were evaluated. Only dissociative DISI and ulnar translocation showed significant clinical differences at 1 year follow-up. It is therefore recommended that a dissociative DISI, usually caused by scapholunate dissociation, should be treated by percutaneous pinning at the time of the initial treatment.

Kinematics of the capitolunate joint in the sagittal plane. A new method based on reference points and triangulation

A new method of assessing capitolunate alignment is presented. Three anatomical carpal reference points were evaluated on lateral radiographs using triangulation. Connecting these three points forms a triangle with dorsal, palmar and somewhat vertical sides. One hundred normal lateral wrist radiographs were measured. The overall dorsal limb (DL) to palmar limb (PL) ratio was found to be 0.74 (SD 0.07) over a range of 40 degrees extension to 42 degrees flexion. As the DL to PL ratio approached 1.0, a dorsal intercalated segment instability (DISI) deformity developed. Conversely, as the DL to PL ratio approached 0.5, a palmar intercalated segment instability (PISI) occurred. This method appears useful for evaluating static lateral radiographs for intercalary carpal alignment and possibly instability.

Arthrography is superior to magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosing injuries of the triangular fibrocartilage

The ability of single-injection radiocarpal arthrography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect full-thickness tears of the triangular fibrocartilage were compared with wrist arthroscopy in 102 patients with wrist pain. The sensitivity of arthrography was 85%, and of MRI was 73%. Specificity was 100% for arthrography and 72% for MRI. Accuracy was 92% for arthrography, and 73% for MRI. Although future advances in MRI technology will probably improve its usefulness, single-injection wrist arthrography currently is superior to routine MRI for the detection of full-thickness triangular fibrocartilage tears.

The ulnocarpal stress test in the diagnosis of ulnar-sided wrist pain

Forty-five patients with persistent ulnar-sided wrist pain and a positive ulnocarpal stress test were investigated by X-ray, arthrography, 99mTechnetium bone scanning, magnetic resonance imaging and wrist arthroscopy. Ulnar wrist pathology was positively identified in nine of 45 patients by X-ray, 18 of 37 by arthrography, 19 of 27 by bone scan, four of 33 by MRI, and in all 45 patients by arthroscopy. The final diagnosis was ulnocarpal abutment syndrome in 28 patients, traumatic triangular fibrocartilage (TFC) tear in six, lunotriquetral (LT) ligament tear in five, TFC and LT ligament tear in one, wrist arthritis in four and cartilaginous free body in one. The ulnocarpal stress test is a useful provocative test, and a positive test suggests the presence of ulnar-sided wrist pathology. The test is sufficiently sensitive to warrant further investigation by arthroscopy.

Isolated tears of the triangular fibrocartilage: management by early arthroscopic repair

To evaluate the efficacy of arthroscopic repair of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) tears treated within 4 months after injury, functional outcome after repair was determined following arthroscopic repair in 24 patients. The patients' average age was 31 years (range, 22-38 years); the average follow-up period was 34 months (range, 26-48 months). All patients had wrist pain limiting their participation in work prior to surgery. Patients with central attrition tears identified by arthroscopy were excluded from the study. Twenty-three patients had a preoperative arthrogram. Twelve of the patients with positive arthrogram findings had an avulsion of the TFCC from the sigmoid notch (Palmer type 1D tears). Of the eleven patients with negative arthrograms, 10 had ulnar tears in capsular attachments of the TFCC. The ulna variance averaged 0.2 mm +/- 0.6 mm. Separate arthroscopic techniques were developed for reattaching the TFCC to the radius (nine patients) versus to the peripheral capsule on the volar or ulnar side of the wrist (eight patients). Postoperatively, there was a significant relief of pain (p < .01). Postoperative range of motion averaged 89% +/- 9% SD of the contralateral side, and grip strength averaged 85% +/- 20% SD of the contralateral side. Thirteen of the 19 patients returning to work did so in their original jobs.

An algorithm for acute wrist trauma. A systematic approach to diagnosis

A systematic approach to the acute traumatized wrist is of importance to achieve early diagnosis, with efficient use of advanced imaging modalities. In a 6-month period 641 patients aged 15 years or over were examined using an algorithm for acute wrist trauma in order to secure early and appropriate treatment. In 293 (46%) cases routine radiographic examination supplied sufficient information to establish a fracture diagnosis. All 33 scaphoid fractures (including five scaphoid non-unions) were demonstrated on the initial X-ray examination. In 56 patients (9%) scintigraphy proved useful for selecting cases in need of further radiographic examination. Among 31 patients with focal activity on bone scintigraphy, CT and/or tomography revealed eight distal radial fractures, one fracture of the ulnar styloid, and eight fractures of carpal bones. Fractures were revealed using tomography and/or "hot spot views" in patients with negative CT examinations suggesting that further examinations should be performed in cases with increased focal activity on bone scintigraphy and a negative CT examination.