Sonography in wrist tendon pathology

Wrist tendons may be affected by a variety of pathologic conditions, including those caused by trauma and overuse, inflammatory and metabolic disorders, or infection. Sonography is a very sensitive means of detecting tendinous pathology because of its spatial resolution and its comparative and dynamic capabilities. Its wide availability makes it the preferred first-line imaging modality in the case of wrist pain. This article reviews the pathologic conditions that may involve the wrist and their sonographic appearances. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.