Scapholunate advanced collapse: a pictorial review

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Radiology
• Rheumatology

Background:

• Scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC) is the predominant cause of wrist osteoarthritis.
• SLAC arthropathy follows a predictable, progressive pathological and radiographic pattern.
• Radiological assessment is integral to SLAC wrist diagnosis and management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a pictorial review of SLAC wrist imaging findings.
• To elucidate the pathological evolution and biomechanical alterations in SLAC.
• To discuss common causes and imaging of SLAC wrist, including scaphoid non-union and CPPD.

Main Methods:

• Review of anatomical structures, including the scapholunate interosseous ligament.
• Discussion of common terminology and biomechanical factors contributing to SLAC.
• Presentation of imaging findings for SLAC, scaphoid non-union advanced collapse, and calcium pyrophosphate dehydrate disease.

Main Results:

• Detailed radiological review of SLAC wrist development.
• Identification of predictable progressive imaging changes associated with SLAC.
• Comparison of imaging findings across different etiologies of SLAC wrist.

Conclusions:

• SLAC is the leading cause of wrist osteoarthritis.
• SLAC exhibits a consistent progressive pathological and radiographic course.
• Imaging is essential for diagnosing, monitoring, and evaluating treatment outcomes in SLAC wrist.