Focal radial styloid abnormality as a manifestation of de Quervain tenosynovitis

de Quervain disease is a stenosing tenosynovitis of the first dorsal wrist compartment. The purpose of this study was to determine whether focal radial styloid abnormality (cortical erosion, sclerosis, or periosteal bone apposition) as shown by radiography can be an indicator of de Quervain tenosynovitis.

A retrospective review of 49 radiographs from 45 patients in whom the clinical diagnosis of de Quervain tenosynovitis was confirmed (positive findings on Finkelstein's test) and 64 radiographs from 62 asymptomatic patients was carried out independently by two musculoskeletal radiologists in a blinded fashion. Findings on radiographs were assessed for focal radial styloid abnormality and assigned a diagnostic grade (1, definitely normal; 2, probably normal; 3, equivocal; 4, probably abnormal; 5, definitely abnormal). Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed and compared. Kappa statistics for interobserver and intraobserver variability were calculated.

The presence of focal radial styloid abnormality correlated significantly with the presence of de Quervain tenosynovitis (p < 0.05). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for each reviewer equaled 0.71 and 0.76. Kappa values for interobserver variability equaled 0.44 (moderate agreement), and intraobserver variability equaled 0.62 (substantial agreement).

Focal radial styloid abnormality is an indicator of de Quervain stenosing tenosynovitis of the wrist.