Arthrographic effect induced by therapeutic ultrasound in magnetic resonance imaging of the wrist: a preliminary investigation.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the potential arthrographic effect of therapeutic ultrasound applied before magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the wrist.


METHODS
MRI of the wrist was performed in 6 asymptomatic volunteers before and after ultrasound therapy of the carpus. For each patient, ultrasound therapy was performed by a trained physiotherapist for 10 minutes, with doses titrated to the maximum tolerated without pain. The amount of fluid within the wrist joints before and after therapy was assessed subjectively by 2 reviewers, as well as objectively by digital analysis.


RESULTS
Subjective appraisal of the images indicated that after ultrasound therapy there was an increase in joint fluid within the distal radioulnar joint in 4 volunteers, the midcarpal joint in 4 and the radiocarpal joint in 2. Computerized digital analysis of joint fluid confirmed an average volumetric increase in wrist joint fluid of 52.8% in 3 of the volunteers. The discomfort of the therapy was graded as 1/10 by 5 of the subjects and 4/10 by a single subject.


CONCLUSIONS
Therapeutic ultrasound may be a useful adjuvant tool in the noninvasive induction of joint fluid before MRI of the wrist.
White
L M
LM
Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia PA 19107 USA.
Schweitzer
M E
ME
Ryan
S J
SJ
Lombardi
J V
JV
Brossmann
J
J
Resnick
D
D
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D013582:Synovial Fluid; D013997:Time Factors; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology*