Role of MRI in evaluation of wrist ligament injury

Abstract

Aims The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of MRI in detection of wrist ligament injury. Patients and methods We performed coronal PDW, coronal PDWSPIR, coronal T2-weighted, coronal gradient, and coronal STIR in 20 patients complaining of wrist pain. The authors assessed images for the integrity of lunotriquetral ligament (LTL), scapholunate ligament (SLL), and TFCC tears. Then the authors compared imaging findings with arthroscopic data in 16 patients who underwent arthroscopy (gold standard). Results A total of 12 TFCC tears were detected arthroscopically, whereas nine were found on MRI. MRI sensitivity in the diagnosis of TFCC tears was 92.31%. Eight SLL tears were found arthroscopically, whereas three tears were detected on MRI. MRI sensitivity in detecting SLL tears was 42.86%. Three LTL tears were diagnosed arthroscopically, whereas we found two LTL tears on MRI. MRI sensitivity in detecting LTL tears was 33.33%. Conclusion MRI has an excellent role in the diagnosis of the TFCC tear with high sensitivity and specificity but less accurate in the evaluation of SLL and LTL injuries.