Sonography and sonoarthrography of the scapholunate and lunotriquetral ligaments and triangular fibrocartilage disk: initial experience and correlation with arthrography and magnetic resonance arthrography.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine the utility of sonography and sonoarthrography in evaluation of dorsal bands of the scapholunate ligament (SLL), lunotriquetral ligament (LTL), and triangular fibrocartilage (TFC) disk in correlation with arthrography and magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA).


METHODS
High-resolution sonography of the SLL, LTL, and TFC disk was performed on symptomatic wrists in 16 patients referred by a hand surgeon for MRA of the symptomatic wrists. All patients then underwent arthrography and an MRA study of the same wrist. After MRA, sonography was repeated. The imaging findings of these different techniques were then compared. Four patients (25%) underwent surgery of their wrists. In these 4 patients, the surgical and imaging findings were correlated.


RESULTS
For the SLL, the results were concordant for all imaging modalities in 15 patients (93.75%) and partially concordant in 1 (6.25%). For the LTL, the results were concordant for all imaging modalities in 12 patients (75%), partially concordant in 3 (18.75%), and discordant in 1 (6.25%). For the TFC disk, the results were concordant for all imaging modalities in 13 patients (81.25%), partially concordant in 2 (12.5%), and discordant in 1 (6.25%). The arthroscopic and imaging findings were concordant for 3 SLLs, 3 LTLs, and 3 TFC disks.


CONCLUSIONS
Our preliminary results are encouraging. Sonography may be used at least as a screening imaging modality in evaluation of the SLL and TFC disk. Sonoarthrography improves evaluation of the LTL.
Taljanovic
Mihra S
MS
Department of Radiology, University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, Tucson 85724, USA. mihrat@radiology.arizona.edu.
Sheppard
Joseph E
JE
Jones
Marci D
MD
Switlick
Daniel N
DN
Hunter
Tim B
TB
Rogers
Lee F
LF
D001175:Arthrography; D006801:Humans; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D051478:Triangular Fibrocartilage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology