[High resolution sonography of the dorsal radiocarpal and intercarpal ligaments: findings in healthy subjects with anatomic correlation to cadaveric wrists].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the value of ultrasound (US) imaging of the dorsal radiocarpal and intercarpal ligaments of the wrist, after characterization of their imaging features on cadaveric specimen.


METHODS
Two wrist dissections of fresh cadaver were performed. The orientations and the osseous insertions of the ligaments were clarified, allowing development of an US examination protocol. Then, forty wrists of asymptomatic volunteers were analyzed prospectively with US. The visibility and thickness of both ligaments were estimated at their midpoint and at their osseous insertions.


RESULTS
The dorsal radiocarpal and intercarpal ligaments were visualized as thin, hyperechoic and fibrillar structures, extending between their respective osseous insertions. The mid portions of the ligaments were visible at all volunteers. The osseous insertions were completely or partially visible in 90% of cases, except for the radial insertion of the dorsal radiocarpal ligament, visible in 77.5% of cases.


CONCLUSIONS
US, based on good anatomical knowledge and a standardized protocol, which we describe in this work, enables evaluation of the dorsal radiocarpal and intercarpal ligaments of the wrist.
Bihan
M
M
Service de Radiologie, CHU de Poitiers, 2, rue de la Milétrie, 86000 Poitiers. morgan.bihan@jvr.aphp.fr
Pesquer
L
L
Meyer
P
P
Paris
G
G
Rousvoal
A
A
Bouche
G
G
Tasu
J P
JP
D000328:Adult; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002102:Cadaver; D002348:Carpal Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011884:Radius / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014953:Wrist / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*