[Carpal bones and joints: roentgenographic measurements in 20- to 70-year-old healthy Mexicans]

We undertook this study to identify normal radiographic anthropometry reference values of the carpal bones and joints in healthy Mexicans between 20 and 70 years old.

The study was comprised of 112 subjects without diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, congenital and/or traumatic diseases in upper limbs. Roentgenograms in postero-anterior and lateral views of carpal bones and joints were performed using standardized techniques. Measurements were done by two blinded observers. Statistical analysis was done applying Kolmogorov-Smirnov-Lilliefors test [K-S-L] (p >0.05), Student's t-test, intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC], Kappa test and Pearson correlation coefficient (p <0.05).

The study sample showed homogeneity in the K-S-L test (p >0.05), ICC (0.93-0.99). The carpal height in men was 34.6 +/- 4.4 mm [2 SD] (29-40 mm), in women 32.0 +/- 3.3 mm [2 SD] (22-41 mm) p = 0.001. The alternative carpal height ratio was 1.45 +/- 0.1 [2SD]. The scapholunate angle was 49.25 +/- 20.46 degrees [2 SD] (28.5-90 degrees ). The inter-observer congruence agreement percentage of the Gilula's arches in first arch was 68.70% and 98.20% in the third; Kappa values were 0.55 and 0.66, respectively.

The 31.3% disagreement in the first and second Gilula's arches demonstrated its poor utility for evaluating inter-carpal instability and incongruence. Anthropometric values by sex and age reported here will allow the study of the associations with pathologies such as carpal tunnel disease, DISI and VISI. This contributes to the identification of normal reference parameters.