Frequency and spectrum of abnormalities in the bone marrow of the wrist: MR imaging findings

Objective. To describe the frequency of marrow abnormalities on wrist MR im aging and the MR findings of these various abnormalities. Design and patients. Five hundred and nineteen patients were studied at 1.5 T. Two observers recorded the presence and location of avascular necrosis, occult fractures and arthritic edema [focal osteoarthritis, ulnolunate abu tment, rheumatoid arthritis, septic arthritis, gouty arthritis and scapholu nate advanced collapse (SLAC)]. Results and conclusion. One hundred and eighty-seven (36%) patients demonst rated marrow abnormalities in the wrist, of which 101 were diagnosed as art hritis [64 (34%) as focal osteoarthritis, 17 (9%) as ulnolunate abutment, 1 5 (8%) as rheumatoid arthritis, 2 as septic arthritis, 2 as SLAG, and 1 as gouty arthritis]. Seventy-two patients had occult fractures and in 27 patients avascular necr osis was seen. MR imaging can reveal various abnormalities in bone marrow o f the wrist when findings on radiography are normal or equivocal.