CT of the wrist for the evaluation of traumatic injuries

Computed tomography (CT) of the wrist can help evaluate many types of posttraumatic injuries, particularly bony trauma. Most wrist fractures can be diagnosed with routine radiography, but problematic cases and complicated healing fractures can be difficult to evaluate with conventional radiography. CT provides improved contrast resolution and multiplanar imaging. The results of complex healing fractures and fusion procedures can be facilitated with CT. Even in the face of advanced osteoporosis CT can delineate bone edges and detect small areas of bony fusion. The degree of bone graft assimilation can be determined with CT. Unlike conventional radiography, metal fixation pins and cast material do not obviate diagnostic exams with CT. Certain posttraumatic complications such as distal radioulnar joint incongruity and hypertrophy of Lister's tubercle can be detected with axial CT images. Complicated cases of retained foreign bodies can be evaluated with CT. The high-contrast resolution of CT allows precise localization of foreign bodies and can define anatomic relationships to adjacent vital structures such as joints, tendons, and carpal tunnel. Postarthrography CT of the wrist is an investigational tool that permits direct visualization of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC). Complete and partial tears of the TFCC can be evaluated with postarthrography CT. Ulnar capsular tears and disruptions of interosseous ligaments can also be evaluated with this technique. The exact role of postarthrography CT of the wrist, however, is uncertain at this point. Three-dimensional CT is receiving increasing interest and may eventually help the understanding of wrist pathomechanics and kinematics. In summary, CT of the wrist can be instrumental in evaluating complicated posttraumatic injuries of the wrist and has certain advantages over routine radiography.