Indirect wrist MR arthrography: the effects of passive motion versus active exercise.
OBJECTIVE
In the wrist, to determine whether passive motion or active exercise yields a better indirect MR arthrographic effect following intravenous gadolinium administration.


METHODS
Twenty-six consecutive patients were studied by indirect wrist MR arthrography. In half active exercise and in half passive motion was performed. Four regions of interest were studied including the distal radioulnar joint, the radiocarpal joint, the midcarpal joint, and the triangular fibrocartilage. Ranges and means of signal intensity were calculated. Surgical follow-up was performed in 22 patients.


RESULTS
The joint fluid intensity was greatest in the distal radioulnar joint. Fluid signal intensity was greater and more consistent in the passive motion group although the results did not achieve statistical significance. Imaging accuracy appeared similar in the two groups and was excellent for the triangular fibrocartilage (100%) and scapholunate ligaments (96%).


CONCLUSIONS
Active exercise and passive motion yield similar degrees of wrist arthrographic effect, but the effect of passive motion is somewhat more consistent. Preliminary data show good accuracy for internal derangements.
Schweitzer
M E
ME
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Department of Radiology, 111 S. 11th Street, 3390 Gibbon, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
Natale
P
P
Winalski
C S
CS
Culp
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology
D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA