[Magnetic resonance imaging of lesions of the triangular carpal ligament]

Abstract

The wrist is a complex anatomical joint which is frequently involved in daily activities and exposed to trauma and overuse. That is why chronic wrist pain syndrome can be somewhat difficult to assess and requires the use of several imaging modalities. Three-compartment arthrography is an invasive but well-known technique that can evaluate interosseous ligaments as well as the triangular fibrocartilage complex; however in recent years MRI has become an important diagnostic tool in imaging wrist injuries, particularly triangular fibrocartilage complex. Its overall accuracy in detecting triangular fibrocartilage complex tears varies from 80 to 95% according to several authors, and even if there is still some controversy about the imaging of the small interosseous ligaments, MRI can also depict some other associated lesions.