Patterns of gadopentetate-enhanced MR imaging of radiocarpal joints of healthy subjects.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of our study was to evaluate prospectively the grades and patterns of gadopentetate-enhanced MR imaging in the radiocarpal joints of healthy subjects after IV contrast administration.


METHODS
The study included 18 healthy subjects (nine men, nine women; age range, 24-34 years; mean age, 30.8 years). We obtained coronal T1-weighted spin-echo images with fat suppression before and after IV administration of gadopentetate dimeglumine and additional axial T1-weighted spin-echo images after contrast administration. Patterns of signal-intensity enhancement in and around the radiocarpal joints were evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively.


RESULTS
In eight (44.4%) of 18 healthy subjects, enhancement of the radiocarpal joints was seen and exclusively located in the region of the prestyloid recess. Enhancement patterns were bandlike in three (16.7%) of 18 healthy subjects, homogeneous in another three (16.7%) of 18, and nodular in two (11.1%) of 18.


CONCLUSIONS
After IV administration of gadopentetate, signal-intensity enhancement in the radiocarpal joint is frequently seen in healthy subjects and is not predictive of inflammatory joint disease. If contrast enhancement is present, three distinct patterns are usually revealed, all invariably located in the region of the prestyloid recess.
Partik
B
B
Department of Radiology, University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.
Rand
T
T
Pretterklieber
M L
ML
Voracek
M
M
Hoermann
M
M
Helbich
T H
TH
D000328:Adult; D002348:Carpal Bones / Q000473:pathology*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011884:Radius / Q000473:pathology*; D012016:Reference Values; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000473:pathology*
D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA