Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Abnormalities Research Articles

Accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging of the wrist for clinically important lesions of the major interosseous ligaments and triangular fibrocartilage complex; correlation with radiocarpal arthroscopy.

To demonstrate the utility of MRI in separating clinically relevant from minor or incidental lesions of the triangular fibrocartilage complex and the major interosseous ligaments in the wrist. In this retrospective study, we identified 89 patients and correlated MRI finding with subsequent arthroscopy. Triangular fibrocartilage complex abnormalities have been subdivided into disc lesions-central and radial-or ulnar-sided tears according to MRI appearances and surgical findings as the clinical and surgical approach is very different. Interosseous ligament tears were subdivided into partial or complete, highlighting the principle of recognising surgically relevant lesions. For simple central to radial tears and perforations of the triangular fibrocartilage complex, MRI was 98.3% accurate. MRI identified all peripheral triangular fibrocartilage complex tears seen at arthroscopy; however, the specificity of 66.7% may reflect partly the use of arthroscopy limited to the radiocarpal joint. MRI proved 95.4% accurate for surgically relevant scapholunate interosseous ligament tears and was highly accurate at separating limited from complete lunotriquetral interosseous ligament tears showing 100% accuracy for complete tears. The study shows excellent correlation between MRI and arthroscopic findings that determine surgical relevance with a very high sensitivity for triangular fibrocartilage complex lesions and accurate separation of minor versus surgically relevant ligamentous tears.

Prevalence of Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Abnormalities among Asymptomatic Young Individuals Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging in A Tertiary Center in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

This study aims to detect and evaluate abnormalities and injuries of triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) using 3.0 T high-resolution MRI. It also determines its efficacy among young asymptomatic individuals. This is a cross sectional exploratory study with a sample size of 30 (21 women and 9 men). None of the volunteers showed signs for previous wrist injuries. Details of TFCC morphology were determined using MRI images for dominant wrist. Analysis of locations for tear or degeneration or any characteristics was also performed. An incomplete or partial tear was presented by 5 volunteers (all women) whereas degeneration or complete tear was absent. Besides, 25 volunteers showed an intact ligament including all men. Prevalence of incidental TFCC is found to be less insignificant. The fact that participants showed less prevalence of asymptomatic abnormalities can be related to their young age. Close correlation of the findings with physical examination and history of individuals is required.

CORR Insights: Prevalence of triangular fibrocartilage complex abnormalities regardless of symptoms rise with age: systematic review and pooled analysis.

C han and colleagues have attempted to ask a relevant clinical question regarding the evaluation of triangular fibrocartilage complex lesions (TFCC) of the wrist: What relationships exist between TFCC tears, age, and pain? All too often we have patients who have been referred to us for wrist pain and have been diagnosed as having a ‘‘tear’’ involving the TFCC. Moreover, patients may or may not have a history of a traumatic event precipitating the pain. Unfortunately, our diagnostic evaluation of ulnar-sided wrist pain has not changed substantially for several decades now. We know from our experience in other orthopaedic clinical problems that the simple presence of a radiographic finding does not necessarily mean that the finding is generating the pain. Patients with low-back pain often have radiographic findings that are not clinically relevant. SLAP lesions of the shoulder, likewise, often are asymptomatic, coincidental findings were noted on MRIs in the workup of shoulder pain.

Prevalence of triangular fibrocartilage complex abnormalities regardless of symptoms rise with age: systematic review and pooled analysis.

Triangular fibrocartilage complex abnormalities seem to be more common with age, but the degree to which this is so, and the degree to which the presence of an abnormality is associated with symptoms, are topics of controversy. We wished to perform a systematic review to determine the prevalence of triangular fibrocartilage complex abnormalities, and to determine if the prevalence of abnormalities are greater with increasing age. In addition, we stratified age groups based on symptoms. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library through August 15, 2013. Studies that reported triangular fibrocartilage complex abnormalities by age were included. Fifteen studies including 977 wrists met our criteria and reported a total of 368 (38%) triangular fibrocartilage complex abnormalities. Eight studies included symptomatic patients; the remainder studied cadavers (six studies) or asymptomatic volunteers (one study). Patients were divided into four age groups (< 30, 30-49, 50-69, and 70 years and older) for pooled analysis, comparing the proportions of patients with and without abnormalities between groups using chi-square analysis. We also evaluated the proportions after stratifying each age group by symptoms. Overall, the prevalence of triangular fibrocartilage complex abnormalities increased with age, from 27% (80/301) in patients younger than 30 years to 49% (130/265) in patients 70 years and older (p < 0.001), odds ratio (OR), 2.7, 95% CI, 1.9-3.8 (p < 0.001). In asymptomatic patients, triangular fibrocartilage complex prevalence abnormality increased from 15% (24/159) to 49% (129/263) in the same age groups (p < 0.001), OR, 5.4, 95% CI, 3.3-8.9 (p < 0.001). For symptomatic patients prevalence ranged from 39% (56/142) to 70% (14/20) in patients between 50 and 69 years old (p < 0.034), OR, 3.6, 95% CI, 1.3-9.9 (p < 0.014). Triangular fibrocartilage complex abnormalities are common in symptomatic and asymptomatic wrists, and they are increasingly common with age. As in all situations where abnormalities are so common that they may be incidental, we need (1) a reliable and accurate method for determining whether these abnormalities are the cause of symptoms; and (2) evidence that treatment of these abnormalities improves symptoms better than placebo. Level III, prognostic study. See the Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Prevalence of Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Abnormalities on MRI Scans of Asymptomatic Wrists

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the wrist is increasingly used in the diagnosis of ulnar-sided wrist pain; however, its efficacy in this setting still needs clarification. The purposes of this study were to investigate the prevalence of abnormal MRI findings in the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) in asymptomatic volunteers and to provide the clinician with comparative data when interpreting MRI results. A total of 103 asymptomatic volunteers underwent imaging of the wrist using a 1.9-T MR scanner and a send-receive birdcage quadrature coil. The images were evaluated by 3 independent interpreters, 2 musculoskeletal radiologists, and 1 orthopedic hand surgeon. We noted details regarding the TFCC morphology and the presence, characteristics, and location of any TFCC abnormality. The TFCC was considered abnormal in 39 wrists. The scans were abnormal in 31 subjects younger than 50 years of age, in 5 subjects 50 to 59 years of age, and in all subjects older than 60 years of age (3 subjects). We diagnosed a complete tear of the TFCC in 23 wrists. An increase in age was correlated with an abnormal TFCC (r(pb) = 0.23; P = .016). The prevalence of incidental TFCC findings in MRI scans of asymptomatic subjects is high. The presence of an abnormal TFCC on MRI may be of questionable clinical meaning, because there is a high incidence of TFCC abnormalities in asymptomatic subjects, particularly those over the age of 50. Imaging results must be viewed in the context of the clinical history and physical examination. Diagnostic III.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the triangular fibrocartilage complex

Magnetic resonance imaging of seven fresh human cadaveric specimens was used to evaluate the integrity of the triangular fibrocartilage complex of the wrist. A variety of imaging parameters were systematically investigated, including T1-weighted images with and without contrast, long repetition times, short echo time images, and T2-weighted sequences. A variety of imaging planes were also evaluated. Wrist arthrography, dissection, and frozen coronal sections were done to substantiate our interpretations of the magnetic resonance images. T2-weighted images in the coronal plane proved to be of the greatest diagnostic value because the synovial fluid of the joint spaces serves as an excellent endogenous contrast agent. Long repetition time, short echo time sequences could be simultaneously obtained with T2-weighted sequences with the use of a multi-echo pulse sequence to provide an excellent diagnostic package in the future. On the basis of our investigation, the triangular fibrocartilage complex can be consistently and accurately evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging. As magnetic resonance imaging technology improves, wrist probes and suitable magnets should become available that will make the evaluation of triangular fibrocartilage complex abnormalities with magnetic resonance imaging clinically useful.

Work in progress: postarthrography computed tomography of the wrist: evaluation of the triangular fibrocartilage complex.

This report reviews a work in progress evaluating the use of postarthrography computed tomography (CT) of the wrist in assessing triangular fibrocartilage complex abnormalities. Twenty-two triangular fibrocartilage complex perforations in 119 patients were identified with both multiple compartment arthrography and postarthrography CT. To obtain a double contrast image of the triangular fibrocartilage complex, the postarthrography CT examinations were performed after multiple compartment arthrography and the injection of air into the radiocarpal compartment. The site of triangular fibrocartilage complex perforation could be identified (radial versus peripheral) as could degenerative changes and internal derangements such as chondrocalcinosis. We did not, however, find any information not provided by arthrography that would have changed the course of management. At this time there is no clinical role for postarthrography CT in the evaluation of triangular fibrocartilage complex derangements.