[NMR tomography of lunate malacia]

Conventional radiographs are not always able to exclude ischemic necrosis of the lunate in the early stages of the disease. Tomograms on two planes have a higher sensitivity than radiographs in two planes. Sensitivity during middle and late stages of ischemic necrosis of the lunate is approximately the same as that of magnetic resonance imaging. MRI is indicated if conventional techniques are negative or doubtful and where there are clinical signs of malacia (Decoulx stages 0 to 1). For these indications MRI is a justifiable additional method for diagnosing ischemic necrosis of the lunate.