EXTRINSIC AND INTRINSIC LIGAMENTS OF THE WRIST - NORMAL AND PATHOLOGICAL ANATOMY AT MR ARTHROGRAPHY WITH 3-COMPARTMENT ENHANCEMENT

The ligaments of the wrist have been demonstrated with magnetic resona nce (MR) imaging by many authors. Distinction has been made between th e extrinsic, or radiocarpal and ulnocarpal, Ligaments and the intrinsi c, or intercarpal, ligaments. The stability of the wrist depends on nu merous ligaments: The volar ligaments are important stabilizers of the wrist, whereas the dorsal ligaments are less crucial for wrist stabil ity. An MR imaging protocol that demonstrates these structures with hi gh resolution has been developed. Cadaveric wrists are imaged with a s poiled gradient-recalled-echo volume-acquisition technique with fat su ppression after three-compartment enhancement with a contrast agent co ntaining gadolinium, The specimens are then sectioned, and the anatomi c and pathologic findings are correlated with the findings on the MR i mages. The extrinsic and intrinsic ligaments of the wrist are clearly demonstrated with this technique. This protocol was designed for anato mic study and promotes understanding of the anatomy and biomechanics o f the wrist; it is not intended for clinical use.