W. Grechenig et al., WRIST ARTHROGRAPHY AFTER ACUTE TRAUMA TO THE DISTAL RADIUS - DIAGNOSTIC-ACCURACY, TECHNIQUE, AND SOURCES OF DIAGNOSTIC ERRORS, Investigative radiology, 33(5), 1998, pp. 273-278
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES. The objective of this investigation was to d
etermine the diagnostic accuracy of wrist arthrography in the detectio
n of interosseous ligament disruptions and of triangular fibrocartilag
e complex (TFCC) lesions in patients after acute wrist trauma and to d
efine the sources of diagnostic error of wrist arthrography after rece
nt trauma. METHODS. Twenty-two patients with radial fractures after ac
ute wrist trauma underwent arthrography and arthroscopy of the wrist.
Arthrography was performed in a standardized manner by two-or three-co
mpartment injection technique. Subsequently wrist arthroscopy was perf
ormed within the same session. Image analysis included the evaluation
of interosseous carpal ligaments, the TFCC, and the osseous structures
. RESULTS. In 22 patients, 11 injuries of the intrinsic ligaments and
the TFCC were diagnosed by arthroscopy, of which 9 had been diagnosed
correctly with arthrography before surgery. One scaphoid fracture prev
iously missed on conventional radiographs also could be diagnosed by a
rthrography. CONCLUSION. Arthrography of the posttraumatic wrist is a
valuable tool in the diagnostic evaluation of interosseous carpal liga
ments and the TFCC.