J Korean Soc Radiol.  2011 Feb;64(2):185-190. 10.3348/jksr.2011.64.2.185.

A New Promising Technique of 3D Isovoxel Imaging Using 3T MRI in the Wrist: Comparison with 3T MR Arthrography

• Lee GY
• Kim BH
• Park JW

• KMID: 2097936
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jksr.2011.64.2.185

Abstract

PURPOSE
We wanted to evaluate the usefulness of 3D isovoxel MR imaging using 3T MRI in the wrist joint, as compared with 3T MR arthrography.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of 33 patients underwent both MR arthrography and 3D isovoxel imaging of the wrist joints using 3T MR, including 11 patients with arthroscopic confirmation. 3D isovoxel MR imaging was performed using an intermediate-weighted fast spin echo coronal scan with a 0.4-mm slice thickness and the axial images were reconstructed with a 1-mm slice thickness. One radiologist evaluated for the presence of scapholunate or lunotriquetral ligament tear and she determined the grade of the triangular fibrocartilage complex tear and chondromalacia with its location. We compared the two examinations using kappa values.
RESULTS
The rates of detecting wrist injury were similar for both exams with substantial to almost perfect inter-examination agreement (kappa value = 0.864 for scapholunate ligament tear, 0.835 for lunotriquetral ligament tear, 0.799 for TFCC tear and 0.940 for chondromalacia). For the eleven cases that underwent arthroscopy, their results of 3D isovoxel MRI were also similar to that of MR arthrography.
CONCLUSION
3D isovoxel MR imaging is useful for the evaluation of the wrist joint.

MeSH Terms

Arthrography
Arthroscopy
Cartilage Diseases
Humans
Imaging, Three-Dimensional
Ligaments
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Triangular Fibrocartilage
Wrist Injuries
Wrist Joint

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 A 43-year old woman with chronic wrist pain. A. A coronal 3D isovoxel MR image shows only subtle signal change in the cartilage of the lunate (dotted arrow). B. A coronal MR arthrographic image shows more clear detection of the minimal chondromalacia with marginal irregularity in the lunate (dotted arrow). Marked thinning of the triangular fibrocartilage complex with diffuse degeneration was revealed on both the 3D isovoxel MR and MR arthrography (arrows). This case was confirmed to have a grade 1 triangular fibrocartilage complex tear with grade 1 chondromalacia on arthroscopy.

• 

  Fig. 2 A 44-year old man with chronic wrist pain. (A, C) The coronal and (B, D) axial 3D isovoxel MR and MR arthrographic images well demonstrate the scapholunte ligament tear (star). The grade 1 triangular fibrocartilage complex tear at the ulnar side (arrow) was more definite on the 3D isovoxel MR than on the MR arthrography, but grade 2 chondromalacia of the lunate (dotted arrow) was markedly seen on MR arthrography. This patient also had a lunotriquetral ligament tear seen on arthroscopy.

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