Finger pulley injuries in extreme rock climbers: depiction with dynamic US.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the ability of dynamic ultrasonography (US) to depict finger pulley injuries in extreme rock climbers.


METHODS
Sixty-four extreme rock climbers (climbing levels 8-11 on a scale ranging from 1 to 11; Union Internationale des Associations d'Alpinisme) with finger injuries (75 symptomatic and 181 asymptomatic fingers) were examined by using US, with the transducer operating at 12 MHz. The distance between the flexor tendon and phalanx was evaluated in extension and forced flexion at the level of the A2 and A4 annular pulleys as an indicator of tendon bowstringing. A distance between the flexor tendon and phalanx greater than 1.0 mm was interpreted as positive for a pulley injury. US findings were compared with those of magnetic resonance imaging. Surgical correlation was available in seven cases. Statistical analysis was performed by using analysis of variance, the Student t test, and the Bonferroni method.


RESULTS
US depicted 16 (100%) of 16 complete A2 pulley ruptures, nine (100%) of nine complete A4 pulley ruptures, six (86%) of seven surgically proved complete combined A2 and A3 pulley ruptures, and 15 (100%) of 15 incomplete A2 pulley ruptures. Measurement of distance between the flexor tendon and phalanx was significantly different among patient subsets without pulley ruptures and those with incomplete, complete, or complete combined pulley ruptures (P <.001). The sensitivity of US for depiction of finger pulley injuries was 98%, and specificity was 100%.


CONCLUSIONS
Dynamic US allows excellent depiction of finger pulley injuries in extreme rock climbers.
Klauser
Andrea
A
Department of Radiology, University Hospital Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria. andrea.klauser@uibk.ac.at
Frauscher
Ferdinand
F
Bodner
Gerd
G
Halpern
Ethan J
EJ
Schocke
Michael F
MF
Springer
Peter
P
Gabl
Markus
M
Judmaier
Werner
W
zur Nedden
Dieter
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009051:Mountaineering / Q000293:injuries*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012421:Rupture; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography