Scapholunate advanced collapse and scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse: MDCT arthrography features

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is to present the imaging features of scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC) and scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse (SNAC) on MDCT arthrography. CONCLUSION: MDCT arthrography is an excellent tool for patients with clinically suspected SLAC or SNAC wrist because it allows identification of the spectrum of findings for diagnosis and proper classification, which directly impact management.     

Scapholunate advanced collapse: a common wrist abnormality in calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition disease

Scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC) is a pattern of wrist malalignment that has been attributed to posttraumatic or spontaneous osteoarthritis of the wrist. Its features, however, also have been observed in patients with idiopathic calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystal deposition disease. To determine the frequency and characteristics of SLAC in this disease, the authors reviewed wrist radiographs in 168 well-documented cases of this disorder. Forty-four of the cases (26%) revealed wrist abnormalities typical of SLAC. Associated findings included bilateral involvement (63%); calcification in or near the triangular fibrocartilage (70%); scapholunate widening or dissociation (70%); and arthropathies of the trapezioscaphoid (57%), metacarpophalangeal (second through fifth) (52%), first carpometacarpal (40%), and radiolunate (14%) joints. Results strongly suggest that CPPD crystal deposition disease is one of the major causes of SLAC. Furthermore, radiolunate arthropathy was found in 14% of the patients with SLAC and CPPD crystal deposition disease, which is different from other observations.     

Radiographic findings of the upper extremity in collegiate rodeo athletes

INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE: Upper-extremity trauma has been extensively studied in traditional sports to reduce predisposition to injury. Limited attention has been directed toward nontraditional, high-collision sports such as rodeo. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to quantify radiographic changes of the upper extremity in collegiate rodeo athletes after seasonal competition. METHODS: After written informed consent, 25 male roughstock athletes (age = 21.0 +/- 1.4 yr; height = 174.5 +/- 5.7 cm; weight = 73.0 +/- 5.9 kg) competing in the College National Finals Rodeo reported for standard anteroposterior and lateral x-rays of both arms (hand/wrist, forearm, and elbow). RESULTS: Radiographs revealed 82 total abnormalities involving both left and right extremities of all athletes. Hand/wrist findings included 24 fractures (19 healed, 5 nonunion) involving scaphoid, styloid, interphalangeal, phalanx, and various metacarpals. Fourteen cases of degenerative joint disease (scaphoid/radius, scapholunate, triangulofibrocartilage, and carpometacarpal), joint calcification, dorsal instability, and scapholunate dissociation were observed. Forearm findings included ulnar cortical thickening, healed stress fractures, and plates/screws. Elbow findings revealed ulnar/humeral degeneration, calcification, posterior olecranon tip fracture, traction spurs, and joint space narrowing with loose bodies. CONCLUSION: Findings indicate a significant amount of radiographic evidence of repetitive trauma to the upper extremity in this sport. Development and mandatory use of effective external bracing beyond existing techniques at the collegiate level of competition should be encouraged.     

桡骨远端背侧带血管蒂骨瓣转位治疗陈旧性舟骨骨折

目的 评价桡骨远端背侧带血管蒂骨瓣转位治疗陈旧性舟骨骨折的中远期疗效.方法 回顾性分析1995-2006年行桡骨远端背侧带血管蒂骨瓣转位治疗的13例陈旧性舟骨骨折,其中9例伴近侧极缺血坏死.血管蒂为1,2区间间伸肌支持带上血管.固定方式包括螺钉内固定及外支架固定.评价内容包括Mayo腕关节临床功能评分以及影像学评价.结果 手术距受伤时间平均22.2个月,平均随访76.6个月.骨折愈合13例,平均愈合时间11.2周.功能评价:优3例,良8例,可2例.末次随访时,腕关节功能评分、关节活动度、握力均较术前有显著提高.舟骨角以及舟月角明显改善.结论 桡骨远端背侧带血管蒂骨瓣转位治疗陈旧性舟骨骨折手术过程相对简单,疗效满意.术中予腕关节松解,术后腕关节在外支架的保护下进行早期功能锻炼可促进关节功能的恢复.     

Imaging of four-corner fusion (SLAC arthrodesis) of the wrist with 64-slice computed tomography

Purpose: To find out whether it is possible to evaluate the healing of wrist arthrodesis, carried out with a metallic spider plate, by means of 64-slice computed tomography (CT).

Material and Methods: 18 CT examinations were performed in 12 patients 2 weeks to 37 months following scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC) arthrodesis fixed with a metallic plate. Ten patients also had plain films of the wrist. Radiation doses were estimated.

Results: Plain films were difficult to evaluate due to overprojection of the spider plate. With 64-slice CT, however, it was possible to evaluate the healing process in all patients in spite of metallic artifacts. Radiation doses were low.

Conclusion: The healing of SLAC arthrodesis of the wrist is difficult to evaluate with conventional radiography due to the metallic plate. By means of 64-slice CT, however, it was possible to “see under” the plate in all 12 patients.     

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 imaging 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 abutment, rheumatoid arthritis, septic arthritis, gouty arthritis and scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC)]. Results and conclusion. One hundred and eighty-seven (36%) patients demonstrated marrow abnormalities in the wrist, of which 101 were diagnosed as arthritis [64 (34%) as focal osteoarthritis, 17 (9%) as ulnolunate abutment, 15 (8%) as rheumatoid arthritis, 2 as septic arthritis, 2 as SLAC, and 1 as gouty arthritis]. Seventy-two patients had occult fractures and in 27 patients avascular necrosis was seen. MR imaging can reveal various abnormalities in bone marrow of the wrist when findings on radiography are normal or equivocal. Received: 29 May 1998 Revision requested: 8 July 1998 Revision received: 8 December 1998 Accepted: 22 January 1999     

Magnetic resonance imaging of the wrist in early rheumatoid arthritis: a pictorial essay

This pictorial essay describes the changes seen in the wrist in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on MRI. Magnetic resonance imaging can demonstrate bone erosions, bone marrow signal changes, synovitis and tenosynovitis in early rheumatoid arthritis. Magnetic resonance imaging of the wrist can identify erosions in RA earlier than plain radiographs and can detect more erosions. Common sites include the capitate, lunate and scaphoid. Bone marrow signal changes occur frequently and are most common in the capitate, lunate and triquetrum. Synovial thickening and enhancement are clearly demonstrated with MRI and are most commonly seen in the radiocarpal joint (RCJ). Tenosynovitis can be seen in the wrist in more than half of patients presenting with RA. This most commonly involves the extensor carpi ulnaris tendon and is seen as sheath fluid, thickening and enhancement.     

Radiologische Frühdiagnostik der skapholunären Dissoziation (SLD)

The partial tear of the scapholunate ligament (pre-dynamic stage of SLD) as well as the complete tear (dynamic stage) does not lead to carpal malalignment. However, if the completely ruptured ligament is accompanied by lesions of the extrinsic ligaments, both the scaphoid and the lunate are malaligned already at rest (static stage of SLD). Later, osteoarthritis will develop, beginning in the radioscaphoid compartment, progressing to the midcarpal joint, and ending in a carpal collapse (osteoarthrotic stage of SLD). Dynamic SLD is detectable only in stress views and in cinematography. The high utility of MRI for directly visualizing the injured ligament is emphasized: reparation tissue is focally enhanced at the rupture site by intravenously applied contrast agent; the individual segments of the scapholunate ligament can be visualized in direct MR arthrography, therefore allowing differentiation of partial and complete ligamentous tears.     

Wrist Injuries

Injuries of the wrist, a complex joint, are common in recreational sports. Often, the clinical diagnosis made is the vague “wrist strain or sprain” unless a fracture is seen on x-ray. A thorough assessment, however (as described in part 1), may reveal any of various injuries and syndromes, including scaphoid fractures, scapholunate dissociation, ganglion cysts, or ligamentous or tendon injuries. Treatment ranges from immobilization to corticosteroid injections to surgical repair of a fracture or underlying cause.     

Magnetic resonance imaging of the wrist: Bone and cartilage injury

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is particularly useful for imaging the wrist due to its superior soft tissue contrast and ability to detect subtle bone marrow changes and occult fractures. A high field (1.5T or greater) strength, dedicated wrist coil, and high in‐plane and through‐plane resolution must be utilized to successfully visualize the relatively thin cartilage of the wrist. MRI can be used to detect occult carpal bone fractures, identify complications following scaphoid fractures, and assess for avascular necrosis in the setting in Kienböck's and Preiser's disease. MRI is useful to identify secondary soft tissue and chondral pathology in impaction/impingement syndromes. The use of an intermediate‐echo time fast spin echo sequence allows for accurate assessment of articular cartilage, allowing evaluation of chondral wear in the setting of primary osteoarthritis and posttraumatic degenerative arthrosis. MRI is the most sensitive imaging modality for the detection of early inflammatory arthropathies and can detect synovitis, bone marrow edema, and early erosions in the setting of negative radiographs. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;37:1005–1019. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Scaphoid fracture and nonunion: current status of radiological diagnostics

Scaphoid fractures, which involve approximately two-thirds of all wrist injuries, are often not detected during initial radiographic examination. By using high-resolution CT and dedicated MRI, it is possible to recognize scaphoid fractures soon at the first diagnostic approach and to assess fragment stability. CT imaging provides all the relevant information of the fracture extent and of the fracture healing in the follow-up. MRI is most sensitive in the detection of scaphoid fractures; however, fracture signs must be differentiated from those of a bone bruise. Both the initially overseen scaphoid fracture and the unsuccessful healing can lead to the natural history of scaphoid nonunion. In the injured scaphoid, CT imaging is essential for depicting the osseous morphology, whereas contrast-enhanced MRI is crucial for assessing the viability of the proximal fragment.     

Skaphoidfraktur und -pseudarthrose

Scaphoid fractures, which involve approximately two-thirds of all wrist injuries, are often not detected during initial radiographic examination. By using high-resolution CT and dedicated MRI, it is possible to recognize scaphoid fractures soon at the first diagnostic approach and to assess fragment stability. CT imaging provides all the relevant information of the fracture extent and of the fracture healing in the follow-up. MRI is most sensitive in the detection of scaphoid fractures; however, fracture signs must be differentiated from those of a bone bruise. Both the initially overseen scaphoid fracture and the unsuccessful healing can lead to the natural history of scaphoid nonunion. In the injured scaphoid, CT imaging is essential for depicting the osseous morphology, whereas contrast-enhanced MRI is crucial for assessing the viability of the proximal fragment.     

Stress views in the radiography of scapholunate instability

AimOn the suspected carpal instabilities stress views are recommended but not often used. The present study evaluates the reliability of the dorsal and volar stress radiographs on patients with posttraumatic wrist pain.Patients and methodsStress radiographs of the wrists were examined in 22 patients with chronic wrist pain and the results were compared with scaphoid shift test and standard and positional views. The stress examination consists of applying to the wrist dorsal and volar stresses on the hand.ResultsStatic scapholunate instability was diagnosed in 4 patients in whom 3 of them had positive scaphoid shift test sign as well. There were, however, 18 patients with dynamic scapholunate instability in whom the standard films were normal but dorsal stress radiography showed gap greater than 3 mm between the scaphoid and lunate.ConclusionStress tests may provide considerable information in the evaluation of a patient who has a painful wrist in whom routine and special views do not demonstrate scapholunate dissociation.     

Idiopathic osteonecrosis of the scaphoid (Preiser's disease)--MRI gives new insights into etiology and pathology

Objective

To describe the imaging signs of idiopathic osteonecrosis of the scaphoid (Preiser's disease) and to differentiate the findings from scaphoid nonunion.

Material and methods

10 patients (4 men, 6 women, mean age 36.9 years) with radial-sided wrist pain were identified to suffer from primary osteonecrosis of the scaphoid. Imaging methods included radiograms in all cases, CT imaging in 9 cases, and contrast-enhanced MRI in 7 cases. In CT and MRI, images were also acquired in the sagittal-oblique plane for depicting the scaphoids in the entire longitudinal extension. Follow-up examinations were performed in 5 patients, two of them underwent surgery with pedicled bone grafts.

Results

In all patients, both osteosclerosis and lesions of the bone marrow were most intensive at the proximal scaphoid pole. A three-layered architecture was found. The zone of osteonecrosis was located most proximally, followed by a zone of repair in the middle, and the zone of viable bone marrow in the distal part of the scaphoid. In contrast to scaphoid nonunion, pathological fractures were exclusively located within the zone of osteonecrosis in 8 cases. Applying morphologic criteria, three stages of Preiser's disease were discernible. The initial stage (proximal osteosclerosis, but unaltered shape of the scaphoid), the advanced stage (pathologic fractures, volume loss of the proximal pole), and the final stage (osteonecrosis of the entire scaphoid).

Conclusion

Pathoanatomy of Preiser's disease and the differentiation into three zones of bone marrow viability can be explained with the retrograde blood supply of the scaphoid. In its natural course, three different stages can be depicted with the initial stage seen only in MRI.     

Stress views in the radiography of scapholunate instability

AIM: On the suspected carpal instabilities stress views are recommended but not often used. The present study evaluates the reliability of the dorsal and volar stress radiographs on patients with posttraumatic wrist pain. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Stress radiographs of the wrists were examined in 22 patients with chronic wrist pain and the results were compared with scaphoid shift test and standard and positional views. The stress examination consists of applying to the wrist dorsal and volar stresses on the hand. RESULTS: Static scapholunate instability was diagnosed in 4 patients in whom 3 of them had positive scaphoid shift test sign as well. There were, however, 18 patients with dynamic scapholunate instability in whom the standard films were normal but dorsal stress radiography showed gap greater than 3mm between the scaphoid and lunate. CONCLUSION: Stress tests may provide considerable information in the evaluation of a patient who has a painful wrist in whom routine and special views do not demonstrate scapholunate dissociation.     

Wrist Trauma: More Than Bones

Acute and subacute wrist trauma predominantly consist of fractures of the distal radius in elderly patients and most frequently carpal fractures (scaphoid, followed by triquetrum and hamatum) and avulsion fractures of the ulnar styloid in younger patients, especially in sports-related injuries but also in work activities. The initial radiographs may miss the fractures and result when untreated in complications as nonunion, osteonecrosis, and degenerative osteoarthritis.Fractures of the distal radius and of the scaphoid may be associated with ligament injuries, most frequently the scapholunate complex, which are often overlooked at the emergency department. Patients without osseous injuries may present intrinsic and extrinsic ligament tears that may lead to carpal instability when they are clinically and/or radiologically missed.Therefore, in acute and subacute setting, computed tomography may be helpful for the detection of subtle fractures, and magnetic resonance imaging, for the early diagnosis of occult fractures and ligament injuries.     

High-resolution bone scintigraphy of the adult wrist.

Bony anatomic landmarks of the wrist (e.g., pisiform, hook of hamate, radioulnar joint, and styloid processes of the radius and ulna) were routinely identified in 28 adult patients examined for wrist pain. With the wrists prone and immobilized, bone scintigrams were obtained for 500,000 counts with an asymmetric (133 to 161 keV) Tc-99m energy window and either a converging (best choice) or straight-bore, high-resolution collimator. High-resolution scintigraphy precisely localized degenerative joint disease (nine patients), scaphoid fractures (five), pisiform fracture (one), lunate avascular necrosis (one), radioulnar arthritis (one), septic or inflammatory arthritis (six), ulnocarpal impingement (two), and reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (two). Images obtained palm down with the wrist in ulnar deviation helped identify increased uptake within the scaphoid. Fracture and significant bone or joint disease were excluded in one patient.     

Pigmented villonodular synovitis of the knee in a child: a case report

Pigmented villonodular synovitis is a rare proliferative process, especially in children. Pigmented villonodular synovitis can affect the synovial joint, tendon sheaths, and bursa membranes. Within synovial joint involvement, it is commonly seen in the knee joint but hip, ankle, shoulder, wrist, and other joints can be involved. The appearance characteristic is found on a magnetic resonance imaging scan. Complete excision and synovectomy are the usual treatment. In this article, we report a case of pigmented villonodular synovitis of the knee in a 12- year-old girl who underwent total synovectomy after the diagnosis was confirmed by biopsy. Three years after surgery, neither recurrence nor joint degeneration was found. The osteochondral defect at the tibial plateau was filled with calcium phosphate bone paste.     

Demonstration of the scapholunate space with radiography

The importance of radiographic evaluation of the scapholunate space, which should not be wider than 2 mm, has been well established in cases of wrist injury. Unfortunately, the assessment of this space is not accurately determined with routine posteroanterior (PA) radiographs, because the scaphoid and lunate bones often overlap. Moreover, the exact portion of the scapholunate space that should be measured has never been clearly defined. Nine wrists with a scapholunate space no wider than 2 mm and without chondrocalcinosis were studied by means of plain routine views and special projections, transaxial and coronal computed tomographic scans, and dissection to determine the precise orientation and anatomy of this space. A PA radiograph with 10 degrees of tube angulation from the ulna toward the radius best demonstrated the scapholunate space. This space should be measured at the level of the midportion of the flat lateral facet of the scaphoid.