[Middle field and low field magnetic resonance tomography in wrist injuries].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the diagnostic value of magnet resonance imaging in comparison of a dedicated 0.2-T unit and a 1.0-T unit in patients with clinically suspected scaphoid fractures and other wrist fractures.


METHODS
In 20 patients (14 m/6 f) with clinically suspected scaphoid fractures and a normal six view radiographic exam, magnet resonance imaging was performed first with the dedicated 1.0-T unit and afterwards with the 0.2-T unit within 7 days after trauma. T1 weighted spin-echo, STIR and T2-weighted 3D GRE sequences were performed.


RESULTS
The 0.2 Tesla dedicated system is inferior to the 1.0 Tesla unit concerning the outcome of the 3 examiners. Especially the areas of bone bruise showed different results: each examiner detected at least two more cases of bone bruise with the 1.0 Telsa unit, which could not be defined with the 0.2 Tesla unit.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows, how utmost sensitive magnet resonance imaging is referring to unremoved fractures of the scaphoid and to other wrist abnormalities. Results with the 0.2 Tesla dedicated system was inferior compared to the 1.0 Tesla unit.
Happel
Brigitte
B
Universitätsklinik für Radiodiagnostik, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, A-1090 Wien. brigitte.happel@univie.ac.at
Breitenseher
M
M
Trattnig
S
S
Gäbler
Ch
Ch
Kukla
Ch
Ch
Rand
Th
T
Imhof
H
H
Lechner
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000473:pathology; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D021361:Scaphoid Bone / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis*