MR-IMAGING DIAGNOSIS OF TRIANGULAR FIBROCARTILAGE PATHOLOGY WITH ARTHROSCOPIC CORRELATION

OBJECTIVE. The goal of this study was to compare MR imaging with arthr oscopy in evaluating triangular fibrocartilage (TFC) pathology. MATERI ALS AND METHODS, The results of 178 MR imaging examinations of the wri st were independently reviewed by two musculoskeletal radiologists who were unaware of the the clinical history, including any subsequent su rgery. One hundred forty-nine of these studies were obtained from symp tomatic patients. Of these patients, 56 underwent arthroscopic evaluat ion of the TFC. The remaining 29 studies were obtained from control vo lunteers and duplicate cases to reduce bias. The data were divided int o categories based on Palmer's classification of TFC injury, Diagnosti c sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were calculated for each cate gory. RESULTS. Of the 56 patients who underwent arthroscopic evaluatio n of the TFC, 27 had TFCs that were intact at surgery, Also, 27 comple te perforations and two partial defects were found at surgery. Sensiti vity for detecting central degenerative perforations was 91% for both observers I and Il. Sensitivity for detecting radial slitlike tears wa s 100% and 86% for observers I and II, respectively. Sensitivity for d etecting ulnar-sided avulsions was 25% and 50% for observers I and TI, respectively, CONCLUSION, MR imaging is accurate in revealing TFC per forations.