Preoperative ultrasound in de Quervain's disease: an investigation worth doing

The diagnosis of de Quervain's disease is traditionally clinical. There are no defined objective criteria to select a mode of treatment (conservative or surgical). Usually, all cases are initially treated conservatively and are offered surgery if it fails. Persistent symptoms after surgery, a nightmare for treating surgeon, are attributed to improper diagnosis or inadequate release of the compartment.

A total of 45 symptomatic wrists in 42 patients were analyzed. All patients underwent ultrasound examination using a 12 MHz linear array transducer by the same radiologist in both the affected and unaffected wrists.

The highest incidence was seen in housewives involved in domestic work.

Ultrasound is a worthwhile preoperative investigation in case of de Quervain's disease.