title: Ultrasound-guided intra-articular injection of the trapeziometacarpal joint: description of technique.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe a new technique to perform an ultrasound-guided intra-articular injection of the trapeziometacarpal (TMC) joint.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ultrasound-guided injection of the TMC joint was completed on fresh frozen cadaver hand specimens using diatriazoate meglumine contrast. A fluoroscopic posteroanterior image of the TMC joint was then obtained to verify intra-articular placement of the contrast.
  
  
  METHODS
  Anatomy lab in a medical college.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventeen fresh frozen cadaver hand specimens.
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable.
  
  
  METHODS
  Verification of this technique was confirmed using fluoroscopy and contrast.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixteen (94%) of 17 joints injected showed contrast material within the TMC joint with a single cutaneous puncture. One intra-articular injection was initially misplaced into the scaphotrapeziotrapezoid joint.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ultrasound may be used to accurately perform intra-articular TMC injections. Ultrasound provides a viable alternative to fluoroscopy when accurate injection into the TMC joint is required for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. umphrey.gregory@mayo.edu
authors.forename: Gregory L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Umphrey
authors.forename: Jeff S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Brault
authors.forename: Mark-Friedrich B
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Hurdle
authors.forename: Jay
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D003287:Contrast Media; D003974:Diatrizoate Meglumine; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D050823:Hand Joints / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular / Q000379:methods*; D014159:Transducers; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D003974:Diatrizoate Meglumine