title: Lunate morphology: can it be predicted with routine x-ray films?
abstract: To assess our ability to predict lunate morphology, x-ray films of 81 cadaver wrists were obtained. The wrists were then dissected to determine true anatomy, specifically the presence or absence of a medial lunate facet. Thirty-five wrists were found to be type 1 lunates, while 46 were type 2. Cartilage erosion at the proximal pole of the hamate was found in association with 28 of the type 2 lunates. The accuracy of determining lunate morphology ranged from 64% to 72%. Therefore, lunate morphology cannot always be reliably predicted by a standard x-ray film. Arthrosis at the lunate-hamate articulation is frequent in association with type 2 lunates.
authors.affiliation: Hand Surgery Associates, Arlington Heights, IL 60005, USA.
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Sagerman
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Hauck
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Palmer
mesh_terms: D002102:Cadaver; D002348:Carpal Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D012667:Lunate Bone / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011859:Radiography