Conventional magnetic resonance imaging versus MR arthrography (MRA) of the wrist in the evaluation of triangular fibrocartilage lesions

Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the diagnostic value of direct MR arthrography compared to conventional MR imaging in the diagnosis of different pathologic entities affecting the triangular fibrocartilage. Subjects and methods: This study included 51 patients complaining of chronic wrist pain. Conventional MRI and MR arthrography (MRA) was done for all cases. Results: A comparison of the sensitivity of conventional MRI versus MRA was done by correlating the final diagnosis of each modality with the results of arthroscopy. MRI revealed a sensitivity (SEN) of 88.5%, specificity (SPE) of 100%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 100%, and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 69.2%, with an overall accuracy (ACC) of 90.9%, while MRA revealed a SEN of 94.2%, SPE of 100%, PPV of 100%, NPV of 81.8%, and ACC of 95.5%. Conclusion: MR arthrography is a potent additional tool facilitating the diagnosis of different pathologic entities affecting the triangular fibrocartilage requiring surgical intervention and help to reduce arthroscopic interventions. (C) 2012 Egyptian Society of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.