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Ulnar impaction syndrome: MR imaging findings
T Imaeda1, R Nakamura, K Shionoya
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Branch Hospital of Nagoya University, Aichi, Japan.
Radiology
|November 1, 1996
Summary
Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging reveals characteristic signal intensity changes in the lunate for ulnar impaction syndrome. These abnormalities often normalize after ulnar recession arthroplasty, indicating successful treatment.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Radiology
- Musculoskeletal Imaging
Background:
- Ulnar impaction syndrome is a condition causing wrist pain due to repetitive impaction of the ulnar head against the triquetrum.
- Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective management and surgical planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings in ulnar impaction syndrome.
- To assess the changes in MR imaging findings following ulnar recession arthroplasty.
Main Methods:
- MR imaging and arthroscopy were performed on 30 wrists in 27 patients diagnosed with ulnar impaction syndrome.
- T1- and T2-weighted spin-echo MR images were analyzed for signal intensities in the lunate, triquetrum, and ulnar head.
- MR imaging was conducted before and after ulnar recession arthroplasty in 11 wrists.
Main Results:
- Pre-operative MR imaging showed focal abnormal signal intensity in the ulnar aspect of the lunate (87%), radial aspects of the triquetrum (43%), and radial aspects of the ulnar head (10%).
- Post-operative imaging demonstrated a normalization of signal intensity in the lunate on both T1-weighted and T2-weighted sequences.
Conclusions:
- Focal signal intensity changes in the ulnar part of the lunate are characteristic findings of ulnar impaction syndrome on MR imaging.
- Ulnar recession arthroplasty effectively leads to the normalization of these MR imaging abnormalities.