Direct wrist magnetic resonance arthrography in triangular fibrocartilage lesions

Abstract

Objective The objective of this study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of direct wrist magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA) compared with arthroscopy in the diagnosis of triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) lesions. Patients and methods A total of 25 (12 men and 13 women) consecutive patients, in the age range from 16 to 49 years (mean age: 28 years) complaining of unexplained chronic wrist pain and suspected to have TFCC lesions were prospectively examined by direct MRA with arthroscopic correlation. Results Compared with arthroscopic results, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of direct MRA for central TFCC lesions were 100% for all three and 100, 90.9, 96%, respectively, for peripheral lesions. Conclusion Direct MRA can diagnose TFCC lesions with very high sensitivity and specificity and can help in reducing arthroscopies for pure diagnostic purposes.