The role of wrist magnetic resonance arthrography in diagnosing triangular fibrocartilage complex tears : experience at King Hussein Medical Center, Jordan

Abstract EN

Objectives : the aims of the study were to evaluate the role of magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA) of the wrist in detecting full-thickness tears of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) and to compare the results of the magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA) with the gold standard arthroscopic findings.

Methods : the study was performed at King Hussein Medical Center, Amman, Jordan, between January 2008 and December 2011.

A total of 42 patients (35 males and 7 females) who had ulnar-sided wrist pain and clinical suspicions of TFCC tears were included in the study.

All patients underwent wrist magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA) and then a wrist arthroscopy.

The results of MRA were compared with the arthroscopic findings.

Results : After comparison with the arthroscopic findings, the MRA had three false-negative results (sensitivity = 93 %) and no false-positive results.

A total of 39 patients were able to return to work.

Satisfaction was high in 38 of the patients and 33 had satisfactory pain relief.

The sensitivity of the wrist MRA in detecting TFCC full-thickness tears was 93% (39), and specificity was 80 5 20 / 16.

The overall accuracy of wrist arthroscopy in detecting a full-thickness tear of the TFCC in our study was 85 % (29 / 34).

Conclusion: These results illustrate the role of wrist MRA in assessing the TFCC pathology and suggest its use as the first imaging technique, following a plain X-ray, in evaluating patients with chronic ulnar side wrist pain with suspected TFCC injuries.