Lesions of the triangular fibrocartilage complex: MR findings with a three-dimensional gradient-recalled-echo sequence.

Abstract

To evaluate the use of a three-dimensional gradient-recalled-echo (GRE) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging sequence in the depiction of lesions of the triangular fibrocartilage (TFC) complex. MR images of the TFC complex were evaluated in 31 patients who underwent wrist arthroscopy less than 6 months after MR imaging. The results were compared with the arthroscopic findings. Eleven of 12 full-thickness TFC tears were depicted, but one partial-thickness tear, one abnormal disk, and one normal disk were overstaged. Lesions in the volar and dorsal radioulnar ligament and lesions of the attachments of the TFC complex to the ulna often were overstaged. Lesions of the ulnolunate and ulnotriquetral ligaments often were understaged. Imaging with the three-dimensional GRE sequence is reliable in the depiction of TFC tears and the exclusion of tears of components of the TFC complex other than those of the ulnolunate and ulnotriquetral ligaments.