Wrist ligament injuries: value of post-arthrography computed tomography.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the use of post-arthrography high-resolution computed tomography in wrist ligament injuries.


METHODS
Thirty-six consecutive patients who had a history and clinical findings suggestive of ligamentous injuries of the wrist were prospectively studied. The findings of three-compartment arthrography and post-arthrography computed tomography (arthro-CT) were compared with those of arthroscopy. The evaluation concentrates on the detection and precise localization of ligament lesions in the triangular fibrocartilage (TFC), the scapholunate ligament (SLL) and the lunotriquetral ligament (LTL).


RESULTS
For TFC, SLL and LTL lesions, standard arthrography responded with a sensitivity and specificity of 85% and 100%, 85% and 100%, 80% and 100% respectively, while arthro-CT showed a sensitivity and specificity of 85% and 100%, 100% and 100%, 80% and 100% respectively. The precise localization of the lesions was possible only with arthro-CT.


CONCLUSIONS
The sensitivity and specificity of standard arthrography and arthro-CT are similar, although the latter shows the site of tears or perforation with greater precision, while conventional arthrography demonstrates them indirectly. This precision is essential and may have clinical implications for the success of treatment procedures.
Theumann
N
N
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital, CHUV, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland.
Favarger
N
N
Schnyder
P
P
Meuli
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology