Chronically stressed wrists in adolescent gymnasts: MR imaging appearance.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging appearance of a chronically stressed wrist and to assess the utility of MR imaging for evaluation of injuries to the growth plate.


METHODS
Coronal T1-weighted spin-echo and gradient-echo MR images were obtained of 93 wrists in 47 high-risk gymnasts of a Chinese opera school. MR imaging and radiographic findings were correlated in 93 wrists.


RESULTS
The major MR imaging abnormalities of 47 radii with abnormal radiographic findings were horizontal fractures (n = 23), physeal cartilage extension to metaphysis (n = 17), and physeal widening (n = 17). The major MR abnormalities of 46 radii with normal radiographs included physeal cartilage extension (n = 12), metaphyseal bone bruise (n = 8), and vertical fractures (n = 4).


CONCLUSIONS
Physeal cartilage extension into the metaphysis represents a healing sign in chronically stressed adolescent wrists. MR imaging findings including horizontal fracture and physeal cartilage extension to the metaphysis suggest that physeal widening occurred secondary to metaphyseal injury.
Shih
C
C
Department of Radiology, Veterans General Hospital-Taipei, Taiwan.
Chang
C Y
CY
Penn
I W
IW
Tiu
C M
CM
Chang
T
T
Wu
J J
JJ
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000175:diagnosis; D006132:Growth Plate / Q000473:pathology; D006173:Gymnastics / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D000072042:Salter-Harris Fractures; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis*