Anatomical features of metacarpal heads that simulate bone erosions: cadaveric study using computed tomography scanning and sectional radiography.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to demonstrate the anatomical features of metacarpal heads that can simulate bone erosions.


METHODS
After performing computed tomography scanning of 6 cadaveric hand specimens, normal anatomy was identified; the maximum depth, height, and area of the osseous concavities in the ulnar, radial, and intersesamoid aspects of the metacarpal heads were measured. An average value was determined for each of the measurements of the 5 fingers, and statistical analysis was done.


RESULTS
Three concavities were identified in the first metacarpal head (intersesamoid, ulnar, and radial) and 2 in the others fingers (ulnar and radial). All of them had sharp regular margins without sclerotic reaction. The measurements of these concavities were done.


CONCLUSIONS
We analyzed the normal osseous anatomy of the metacarpal heads. Knowledge of this normal anatomy enables the radiologist to differentiate normal concave regions from bone erosions that accompany a variety of synovial inflammatory diseases.
Canella Moraes Carmo
Clarissa
C
Department of Radiology, Veterans Affairs Hospital, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA. clacanella@yahoo.com.br
Cruz
Gisele Portes
GP
Trudell
Debra
D
Hughes
Tudor
T
Chung
Christine
C
Resnick
Donald
D
D019412:Anatomy, Cross-Sectional / Q000379:methods; D002102:Cadaver; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D050279:Metacarpal Bones / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*