MR imaging diagnosis of triangular fibrocartilage pathology with arthroscopic correlation. AJR Am J Roentgenol 1997 Jun;168(6):1513-8
Date
06/01/1997Pubmed ID
9168716DOI
10.2214/ajr.168.6.9168716Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0030908689 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 106 CitationsAbstract
OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to compare MR imaging with arthroscopy in evaluating triangular fibrocartilage (TFC) pathology.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The results of 178 MR imaging examinations of the wrist were independently reviewed by two musculoskeletal radiologists who were unaware of the the clinical history, including any subsequent surgery. One hundred forty-nine of these studies were obtained from symptomatic patients. Of these patients, 56 underwent arthroscopic evaluation of the TFC. The remaining 29 studies were obtained from control volunteers and duplicate cases to reduce bias. The data were divided into categories based on Palmer's classification of TFC injury. Diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were calculated for each category.
RESULTS: Of the 56 patients who underwent arthroscopic evaluation of the TFC, 27 had TFCs that were intact at surgery. Also, 27 complete perforations and two partial defects were found at surgery. Sensitivity for detecting central degenerative perforations was 91% for both observers I and II. Sensitivity for detecting radial slitlike tears was 100% and 86% for observers I and II, respectively. Sensitivity for detecting ulnar-sided avulsions was 25% and 50% for observers I and II, respectively.
CONCLUSION: MR imaging is accurate in revealing TFC perforations.
Author List
Oneson SR, Timins ME, Scales LM, Erickson SJ, Chamoy LAuthor
Scott J. Erickson MD Professor in the Radiology department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdultArthroscopy
Cartilage, Articular
Case-Control Studies
Female
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Predictive Value of Tests
Sensitivity and Specificity
Wrist
Wrist Injuries
