The intersection syndrome: Ultrasound findings and their diagnostic value

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Radiology
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• Intersection syndrome is an overuse injury affecting the distal forearm.
• It involves inflammation at the crossing of the first and second extensor compartments.
• Symptoms include pain, swelling, erythema, and edema of the wrist.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe typical ultrasonography (US) findings in intersection syndrome.
• To evaluate the diagnostic value of US for this condition.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of US findings in 4 patients with suspected intersection syndrome.
• Patients presented with characteristic wrist pain and swelling.

Main Results:

• All 4 patients showed peritendinous edema on US.
• Synovial fluid within tendon sheaths at the first and second dorsal extensor compartment intersection was observed in all cases.

Conclusions:

• Intersection syndrome exhibits characteristic US findings.
• US is a reliable imaging modality for diagnosing intersection syndrome.
• Ultrasonography may obviate the need for more expensive imaging tests.