TRIANGULAR FIBROCARTILAGE COMPLEX - NORMAL APPEARANCE ON CORONAL 3-DIMENSIONAL GRADIENT-RECALLED-ECHO MR-IMAGES

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of three-dimensional gradient-reca lled-echo (GRE) sequences in demonstration of the triangular fibrocart ilage complex (TFCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Appearance of the TFCC in wrists of 11 cadavers, 17 patients, and six volunteers at three-dimen sional GRE magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was evaluated and compared with that at dissection. RESULTS: MR appearance of the TFCC was simila r for all wrists. Volar and dorsal radioulnar ligaments were identifie d. The TFCC had two types of attachments to the ulna: The more common consisted of two striated attachments, one to the tip and the other to the base of the styloid; the less common consisted of a broad-based s triated attachment along the styloid. MR appearance of the ulnotriquet ral and ulnolunate ligaments and meniscus homologue varied but correla ted with observations at dissection. CONCLUSION: The three-dimensional GRE sequence consistently demonstrated most TFCC components. Dissecti on helped confirm MR-demonstrable variability in the ulnar aspect of t he TFCC.