Athletic injuries of the extensor carpi ulnaris subsheath: MRI findings and utility of gadolinium-enhanced fat-saturated T1-weighted sequences with wrist pronation and supination.
OBJECTIVE
To report the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in athletic injuries of the extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) subsheath, assessing the utility of gadolinium-enhanced (Gd) fat-saturated (FS) T1-weighted sequences with wrist pronation and supination.


METHODS
Sixteen patients (13 male, three female; mean age 30.3 years) with athletic injuries of the ECU subsheath sustained between January 2003 and June 2009 were included in this retrospective study. Initial and follow-up 1.5-T wrist MRIs were performed with transverse T1-weighted and STIR sequences in pronation, and Gd FS T1-weighted sequences with wrist pronation and supination. Two radiologists assessed the type of injury (A to C), ECU tendon stability, associated lesions and rated pulse sequences using a three-point scale: 1=poor, 2=good and 3=excellent.


RESULTS
Gd-enhanced FS T1-weighted transverse sequences in supination (2.63) and pronation (2.56) were most valuable, compared with STIR (2.19) and T1-weighted (1.94). Nine type A, one type B and six type C injuries were found. There were trends towards diminution in size, signal intensity and enhancement of associated pouches on follow-up MRI and tendon stabilisation within the ulnar groove.


CONCLUSIONS
Gd-enhanced FS T1-weighted sequences with wrist pronation and supination are most valuable in assessing and follow-up athletic injuries of the ECU subsheath on 1.5-T MRI.
Jeantroux
Jeremy
J
Department of Radiology B, Hôpital Cochin, AP-HP, Université Paris Descartes, Rue du Faubourg Saint-Jacques 27, 75014, Paris, France.
Becce
Fabio
F
Guerini
Henri
H
Montalvan
Bernard
B
Le Viet
Dominique
D
Drapé
Jean-Luc
JL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005682:Gadolinium; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
D005682:Gadolinium