The role of MR imaging in scaphoid disorders

The scaphoid bone of the wrist is one of the most commonly fractured bones in the body. Due to its importance in the biomechanics and functionality of the wrist, it is important to depict and characterize the type of injury. Plain radiographs and scintigraphy may fail to disclose the type and severity of the injury. In patients with normal initial plain radiographs, MR imaging can discriminate occult fractures from bone bruises and may also demonstrate ligamentous disruption. MR imaging can also discriminate the proximal pole viability versus avascular necrosis secondary to previous fracture, which is important for treatment planning. Treatment of non-united fractures with vascularized grafts can be evaluated with contrast-enhanced MR imaging. Idiopathic osteonecrosis or Preiser’s disease was originally described after trauma. The non-traumatic disorders of the scaphoid include post-traumatic osteoarthritis, inflammatory bone marrow edema in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and osteomyelitis. MR imaging is helpful in all the above disorders to demonstrate early bone marrow edema, cartilage degeneration and associated subchondral marrow changes. The most commonly found tumors in the scaphoid are usually benign and include enchondroma, osteoblastoma and osteoid osteoma. MR imaging is not mandatory for the initial diagnosis, which should be based on plain X-ray findings.     

不典型月骨周围脱位的影像表现及鉴别

目的：总结不典型月骨周围脱位影像特点及与相关骨折脱位的鉴别要点。方法本组16例不典型月骨周围脱位均摄有腕关节正侧位片,5例同时行64排CT扫描及重建,仔细观察分析每一病例的影像表现及特点。结果本组16例均为不典型月骨周围后脱位,伴不同程度月骨向前半脱位。单纯不典型月骨周围后脱位10例,其中同时伴舟骨后脱位3例,半脱位2例,无脱位5例,舟骨无脱位病例中,1例正位头舟间隙明显增宽;经舟骨不典型月骨周围脱位6例,除月骨向前半脱位外,舟骨骨折近段亦随月骨向前半脱位。结论单纯不典型月骨周围后脱位均伴有不同程度月骨向前半脱位,可伴或不伴舟骨后脱位;经舟骨不典型月骨周围后脱位,月骨及骨折近段同时向前半脱位。     

Isolated rotatory subluxation of the carpal navicular.

Rotatory subluxation of the carpal navicular can cause wrist pain and may lead to severe and disabling degenerative changes. Correct diagnosis depends on recognition of the typical roentgenographic signs. Sixteen patients with neither rheumatoid arthritis nor a lunate or a perilunate dislocation had rotatory subluxation in nineteen wrists. Many had only vague or remote histories of trauma. There were a navicular-lunate gap in all nineteen wrists, and foreshortening of the navicular in sixteen wrists, usually with a ring sign. The abnormalities were best demonstrated on well-centered posteroanterior roentgenograms of the wrist with the hand in slight radial deviation. In two patients, wrist arthrography demonstrated abnormal communication between radiocarpal and intercarpal joints.     

Capitate-lunate instability: recognition by manipulation under fluoroscopy

Videotape fluoroscopy was used to diagnose a previously undescribed carpal dissociation, the capitate lunate instability pattern. In eight patients with midcarpal pain and clicking, the examiner simultaneously applied pressure to the scaphoid tuberosity while applying longitudinal traction and flexion to the wrist under fluoroscopic control. This maneuver revealed dorsal subluxation of the proximal carpal row and capitate lunate subluxation in each of the eight patients. Plain radiography and arthrography were not helpful in the diagnosis. All eight cases were managed conservatively. Videotape fluoroscopy is the best radiologic method of diagnosing capitate-lunate instability.     

Rotatory palmar subluxation of the lunate in post-traumatic ulnar carpal translocation

Post-traumatic ulnar carpal translocation is a rare, severe ligamentous injury to the wrist. Radiologic findings include widening of the radiocarpal joint space at the radial styloid process and ulnar displacement of the carpus. Less than 50% of the lunate articulates with the radius in the neutral position; the lunate is tilted dorsally with palmar subluxation due to a ruptured radioscapholunate (RSL) ligament. This malposition should be called rotatory palmar subluxation of the lunate (RPSL), by analogy to rotatory subluxation of the scaphoid (RSS). In contrast to dorsiflexed intercalated segment instability (DISI), in RPSL the RSL ligament is ruptured and, in the majority of cases, the scapholunate ligament remains intact. A prompt diagnosis should lead to successful treatment.     

Imaging of the hand: degeneration,impingement and overuse

Degenerative and overuse diseases as well as impingement syndromes of the hand are illustrated and discussed in this review article. Osteoarthritis of the interphalangeal joints as described by Heberden and Bouchard is a ubiquitous articular disease often associated with synovitis and erosive joint destruction. Osteoarthritis of the trapeziometacarpal joint is classified into four stages for proper indication of operation. Overuse can result in stenosing tenosynovitis around the wrist and in synovitis with or without impingement of the flexor or extensor tendons of the digitis or ruptures of the annular and cruciform pulleys. Although diagnosis of these entities is usually made by history and clinical investigation, ultrasound and MRI can be helpful tools in imaging of these diseases. Scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC) and scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse (SNAC) are the characteristic degeneration pattern of the wrist and represent the degeneration mechanisms in scapholunate insufficiency and nonunion of the scaphoid. SLAC wrist is a gradual degeneration classified in three stages and found in posttraumatic scapholunate rupture, calcium pyrophosphate dehydrate deposition disease (CPPD), rheumatoid arthritis, neuropathic diseases, trauma, and β₂-microglobulin associated amyloid deposition. Ulna impaction syndrome is increasingly recognized as a cause of ulnar sided pain and exhibits a characteristic MRI appearance.     

Posttraumatic cystlike defects of the scaphoid: late sign of occult microfracture and useful indicator of delayed union

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between radiolucencies in the scaphoid and trauma, we studied the unenhanced radiographs and CT images of 1087 adult patients. CONCLUSION: Three (0.3%) of the 1087 patients had scaphoid radiolucencies that developed after trauma. We hypothesize that in these patients a microfracture of the scaphoid or subtle fractures are the cause of persisting clinical symptoms. Persistent loading of the scaphoid due to wrist movement can lead to unrestricted compressive forces and ischemia and to the development of a bone cyst-like pathologic change, apparent on the radiograph as a radiolucency and often misreported as a cyst. An alternate term, "cystlike defect" or "pseudocyst" of the scaphoid, is suggested. Such radiolucencies are indicators of previous microfractures or an untreated episode of trauma to the scaphoid.     

Degenerative sternoclavicular arthritis and hyperostosis

Symptomatic arthritic involvement of the sternoclavicular joint is relatively uncommon and can be a result of distant trauma, infection, and sternocostoclavicular hyperostosis, post-menopausal arthritis, condensing osteitis of the proximal clavicle, or secondary to an underlying arthropathy. Patients with degenerative osteoarthritis due to trauma most commonly have had either an anterior or posterior dislocation, subluxation, or periarticular fracture. Medical claviculectomy with or without ligamentous stabilization is indicated only in situations of painful primary and secondary rheumatoid arthritis, or in patients with neoplastic lesions. Numerous authors have recommended surgical reconstruction but few have reported series larger than two or three cases. This article reviews a few specific arthropathy conditions about the sternoclavicular joint and discusses their nonoperative and operative management.     

Chironic patellofemoralchiondromalacia

The evaluation and treatment of patients with symptoms secondary to an abnormality of the patellofemoral jointis dependent on an understanding of the biomechanics of this joint along with performance of a meticulous history and physical exam. angential views of the patellofemoral joint and additional imaging studies, particularly computerized tomography, can at times provide a better understanding of the underlying abnormality. ost conditions can be treated nonoperatively.Surgery is usually reserved for those patients with persistent symptoms despite nonoperative treatment, and must address the underlying pathology and abnormal biomechanics if present. rthrosis of the joint may occur in the presence or absence of a malalignment pattern, and when malaligned the physician must distinguish whether there is tilt, subluxation, or both. ilt can result in rapid deterioration of the lateral facet and usually responds well to lateral retinacular release. hen tilt occurs in conjunction with subluxation the results of lateral release are compromised. Subluxation by itself is usually best treated by a proximal or distal realignment procedure. Arthroscopy has a limited. role in the treatment of advanced chondrosis and consideration can be given to anterior or anteromedial advancement of the tibial tubercle. atellectomy remains a salvage procedure for patients with severe patellofemoral arthritis but should only be performed in a normally aligned extensor mechanism.     

Subluxation of the upper thoracic spine in rheumatoid arthritis

Only single cases with rheumatoid arthritis of the thoracic spine with vertebral subluxation have been reported to date. In a review of 100 patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis who had undergone occipitocervical fusion, arthritis of the upper thoracic spine with subluxation was discovered on conventional radiographs in four patients. Two additional patients were found elsewhere. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed in three of the patients, confirming the diagnosis of subluxation of the upper thoracic vertebrae. In addition, MRI revealed encroachment on the anterior sub-arachnoid space and compression of the spinal cord.     

Radiographic evaluation of osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most widespread form of arthritis in the United States. Classically, osteoarthritis has been grouped into primary and secondary types. Primary or idiopathic osteoarthritis is believed to be a sequela of altered biomechanical stresses across joints in susceptible individuals. Secondary osteoarthritis is a consequence of underlying cartilage damage, such as from preceding inflammatory arthritis, metabolic abnormality, or injury. The radiographic hallmark of osteoarthritis is asymmetric loss of cartilage space. Osteophytosis bony eburnation, subchondral cysts, and eventual subluxation follow. Osteoporosis and erosions are not usual features of this disease.     

腕关节损伤与常用诊断标准的对照研究(附300例测量分析)

目的：通过测量分析,研究腕关节损伤和常用诊断标准在Ｘ线诊断中的应用价值,提高腕关节损伤诊断的准确性。方法：详细测量分析我院有探讨价值的资料３００份,用三条弧线,腕关节方框,侧位轴线,舟月角,舟骨环征,腕高率,腕尺距进行详细分析。结果：腕骨损伤１９４例。腕骨脱位１０６例。在常用诊断标准中三条弧线：对舟骨骨折成角型,移位型,翻转型,三角骨横折型,纵折型骨折。经舟骨月骨周围腕脱位,月骨周围腕脱位,月骨掌侧脱位中的诊断价值极高,阳性率为１００％。腕关节方框：对移位型舟骨骨折阳性率为２７％,三角骨横行骨折阳性率为３６％,经舟骨月骨周围腕脱位阳性率为２０％。侧位轴线：对经舟骨月骨周围腕脱位,月骨周围腕脱位,月骨掌侧脱位阳性率为１００％,对舟骨骨折移位型阳性率为３６％。舟月角：仅对舟骨骨折翻转型和常见腕骨脱位有诊断价值。腕高率、腕尺距仅在腕骨结构紊乱中有较高的诊断价值。另外,舟骨环征仅是一个征象,不是一个诊断标准。结论：七条诊断标准对常见的舟骨稳定型和三角骨背、掌侧型骨折均无特异性改变。在腕骨损伤中三条弧线的诊断价值极高,侧位轴线次之。     

Non-Tumorous Diseases of the Sternum and Its Articulations: At the Front Gate of the Chest

Abnormalities of the sternal and peri-sternal regions are commonly seen in clinical practice and may be one of the important causes of chest pain particularly anterior chest wall pain. While reading computed tomography (CT) of the chest for evaluation of chest pain, the sternal region is either easily overlooked or its abnormality is often detected incidentally. This article will provide an overview of normal sternal anatomy and congenital variants as well as a variety of non-tumorous pathologic conditions of the sternum and adjacent joints, with emphasis on CT, to help radiologists, particularly thoracic radiologists, to make an accurate diagnosis in their daily practice. Non-tumorous abnormalities include trauma (fractures and dislocations), infection (osteomyelitis, septic arthritis), degenerative (osteoarthritis) and inflammatory conditions (rheumatoid arthritis, seronegative arthritides), and metabolic disorders (Paget's disease and renal osteodystrophy) as well as treatment related changes such as poststernotomy and its complications (dehiscence, nonunion) and postradiation changes of the sternum.     

Posterior atlantooccipital subluxation in Down syndrome

Three Down syndrome patients with posterior atlantooccipital (AO) subluxation are described. All are asymptomatic. The subluxation becomes manifest during active extension of the neck and reduces in flexion. Methods of assessing posterior AO subluxation are discussed. The abnormality is attributed to ligamentous laxity in patients with Down syndrome.     

Computed tomography of wrist trauma

We devised a rapid and sensitive computed tomography (CT) method to assess the acutely injured wrist, healing carpal fractures and post-traumatic osteonecrosis, when the plain films offer insufficient information. The wrist is positioned in a simple reverse-L-shaped Perspex immobilizer. With the scaphoid as the center of the arc and the long axis of the distal radius as the reference 0 degrees line, sequential coronal scans of the wrist were done in 10 degrees increments in an arc of 40 degrees to give 0 degrees, 10 degrees, 20 degrees, 30 degrees and 40 degrees scans. The 0 degrees and 10 degrees arc scans were best for evaluating the distal radius and ulna and soft tissues, the 10 degrees and 20 degrees scans for the carpal bones other than the scaphoid, and their relation to each other, the 30 degrees and 40 degrees scans, parallel to the long axis of the scaphoid, for fractures of the scaphoid and the hook of the hamate. In addition the 40 degrees scan offered an excellent carpal tunnel view. In 22 patients examined for wrist trauma CT was found to be more accurate than plain films and plain-film tomography in determining the presence of a fracture (4 scaphoid and 1 distal radius), in assessing the degree of osseous union (12) and in evaluating intercarpal fusion (2). In addition CT detected avascular necrosis of the lunate in two patients and erosions of the scaphoid and distal radius attributed to rheumatoid arthritis in one.     

Reiter disease with atlanto-axial subluxation

The authors report the first known case of atlanto-axial subluxation in Reiter arthritis. The type of analysis, including radiographic and laboratory examinations, required for a diagnosis of atypical Reiter disease is an important feature of the case.     

Scaphoid fractures: evaluation with high-spatial-resolution US initial results.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of high-spatial-resolution ultrasonography (US) in the diagnosis of scaphoid fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 72 hours after acute wrist trauma, 15 consecutive patients were examined for possible scaphoid fractures clinically and with conventional radiographs, including scaphoid views. Thereafter, high-spatial-resolution US was performed by two experienced radiologists blinded to the results of the previously performed investigations. High-spatial-resolution US of the scaphoid bones was performed from the palmar, lateral, and dorsal directions in the longitudinal and transverse planes. US findings indicative of a scaphoid fracture were cortical discontinuity and/or periosteal elevation. Finally, magnetic resonance (MR) images (short inversion time inversion-recovery, T1- and T2*-weighted) (ie, the standard) of the affected wrist were obtained and evaluated for a possible scaphoid fracture by two radiologists in consensus. RESULTS: Nine of 15 patients had scaphoid fractures. Seven (78%) of nine patients had positive findings at high-spatial-resolution US and five (56%) had such findings at conventional radiography (ie, four occult scaphoid fractures), with an accuracy of 87% and 73%, respectively. Two (50%) of four radiographically occult scaphoid fractures were depicted with high-spatial-resolution US. Sonographic findings of scaphoid fractures were either cortical discontinuity (n = 4), periosteal elevation (n = 2), or a combination of these two findings (n = 1). CONCLUSION: High-spatial-resolution US is a reliable diagnostic tool for the evaluation of occult scaphoid fractures and should be considered an adequate alternative diagnostic tool prior to computed tomography or MR imaging.     

Comparison of conventional radiography and MDCT in suspected scaphoid fractures

AIM: To determine the diagnostic accuracy and radiation dose of conventional radiography and multidetector computed tomography(MDCT) in suspected scaphoid fractures.METHODS: One hundred twenty-four consecutive patients were enrolled in our study who had suffered from a wrist trauma and showed typical clinical symptoms suspicious of an acute scaphoid fracture. All patients had initially undergone conventional radiography. Subsequent MDCT was performed within 10 d because of persisting clinical symptoms. Using the MDCT data as the reference standard, a fourfold table was used to classify the test results. The effective dose and impaired energy were assessed in order to compare the radiation burden of the two techniques. The Wilcoxon test was performed to compare the two diagnostic modalities.RESULTS: Conventional radiography showed 34 acute fractures of the scaphoid in 124 patients(42.2%). Subsequent MDCT revealed a total of 42 scaphoid fractures. The sensitivity of conventional radiography for scaphoid fracture detection was 42.8% and its specificity was 80% resulting in an overall accuracy of 59.6%. Conventional radiography was significantly inferior to MDCT(P < 0.01) concerning scaphoidfracture detection. The mean effective dose of MDCT was 0.1 m Sv compared to 0.002 m Sv of conventional radiography.CONCLUSION: Conventional radiography is insufficient for accurate scaphoid fracture detection. Regarding the almost negligible effective dose, MDCT should serve as the first imaging modality in wrist trauma.     

Occult fractures of the waist of the scaphoid: early diagnosis by high-spatial-resolution sonography

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of high-spatial-resolution sonography in the diagnosis of occult fractures of the waist of the scaphoid. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Sonography of the scaphoid bone with a 12-MHz transducer was performed in 54 patients with clinically suspected scaphoid fracture and normal findings on initial radiographs, including specific scaphoid images. Three levels of clinical suspicion were considered: high (20%), moderate (30%), and low (50%). Attention was paid to the continuity of the scaphoid cortex and to the surrounding soft tissues (i.e., hemarthrosis or hematoma). Data from early sonograms were then compared with the results of radiography repeated 10-14 days after the initial trauma. In cases of persistent suspicion despite normal findings on follow-up radiographs, the presence of fracture was evaluated on CT (four patients), MR imaging (one patient), or bone scanning (one patient). RESULTS: Follow-up examinations proved fracture of the scaphoid waist in five patients. In all patients, diagnosis of fracture was suspected on initial sonograms showing cortical disruption associated with soft-tissue abnormalities. There was one false-positive finding and no false-negative results. Using cortical disruption as a diagnostic criterion, we found the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of high-resolution sonography for the depiction of scaphoid fracture to be 100%, 98%, and 98%, respectively. Using soft-tissue abnormalities alone as a criterion, we found the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of high-resolution sonography to be 100%, 65%, and 68%, respectively. The overall prevalence of occult fracture was 9%, ranging from 3.7% for low suspicion to 27% for high suspicion of fracture. CONCLUSION: High-resolution sonography is a reliable and accurate method of evaluating occult fractures of the scaphoid waist. Cortical disruption is the diagnostic key. Soft-tissue abnormalities alone lack specificity.     

Value of bone scintigraphy in patients with carpal trauma

OBJECTIVE: We planned this study to evaluate the role of bone scintigraphy in patients with suspected carpal fracture and normal or suspicious radiographs following carpal injury. METHODS: Three-phase bone scintigraphy using Tc-99m-MDP was performed on 32 patients with negative radiographs but clinically suspected fracture at two weeks after the trauma. Focally increased radiopharmaceutical uptake was interpreted as a fracture. The final diagnosis was established with clinical follow-up. RESULTS: Twelve (38%) patients had a normal scan excluding fracture. Twelve patients had a single fracture. Multifocal fracture was present in 8 (25%) patients. Eight patients showed scaphoid fractures; of these three showed single scaphoid fracture, and the other five patients revealed accompanying fractures. Distal radius fractures and carpal bone fractures other than scaphoid were both observed in 12 patients. These were eleven fractures of distal radius; three fractures of pisiform; two fractures of hamate; and single fractures of lunate, trapezium and triquetrum. In one patient there was fracture of a first metacarpal bone. CONCLUSION: In patients with suspected carpal bone fracture and normal or suspicious radiographs, bone scintigraphy can be used as a reliable method to confirm or exclude the presence of a scaphoid fracture and to detect clinically unsuspected fractures of distal radius and other carpal bones.