Radiology, Vol 195, 521-527, Copyright © 1995 by Radiological Society of North America

ARTICLES

Triangular fibrocartilage complex: normal appearance on coronal three- dimensional gradient-recalled-echo MR images

SM Totterman and RJ Miller
Department of Radiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, NY 14642-8648, USA.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of three-dimensional gradient- recalled-echo (GRE) sequences in demonstration of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Appearance of the TFCC in wrists of 11 cadavers, 17 patients, and six volunteers at three- dimensional GRE magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was evaluated and compared with that at dissection. RESULTS: MR appearance of the TFCC was similar for all wrists. Volar and dorsal radioulnar ligaments were identified. The TFCC had two types of attachments to the ulna: The more common consisted of two striated attachments, one to the tip and the other to the base of the styloid; the less common consisted of a broad- based striated attachment along the styloid. MR appearance of the ulnotriquetral and ulnolunate ligaments and meniscus homologue varied but correlated with observations at dissection. CONCLUSION: The three- dimensional GRE sequence consistently demonstrated most TFCC components. Dissection helped confirm MR-demonstrable variability in the ulnar aspect of the TFCC.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				T. Moser, J.-C. Dosch, A. Moussaoui, X. Buy, A. Gangi, and J.-L. Dietemann Multidetector CT Arthrography of the Wrist Joint: How to Do It RadioGraphics, May 1, 2008; 28(3): 787 - 800. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. Saupe, K. P. Prussmann, R. Luechinger, P. Bosiger, B. Marincek, and D. Weishaupt MR Imaging of the Wrist: Comparison between 1.5- and 3-T MR Imaging--Preliminary Experience Radiology, January 1, 2005; 234(1): 256 - 264. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. H. Haims, M. E. Schweitzer, W. B. Morrison, D. Deely, R. Lange, A. L. Osterman, J. M. Bednar, J. S. Taras, and R. W. Culp Limitations of MR Imaging in the Diagnosis of Peripheral Tears of the Triangular Fibrocartilage of the Wrist Am. J. Roentgenol., February 1, 2002; 178(2): 419 - 422. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. KATO, R. NAKAMURA, K. SHIONOYA, N. MAKINO, and T. IMAEDA Does High-Resolution MR Imaging Have Better Accuracy than Standard MR Imaging for Evaluation of the Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex? J Hand Surg Eur Vol., October 1, 2000; 25(5): 487 - 491. [Abstract] [PDF]

				T. NAKAMURA, Y. YABE, and Y. HORIUCHI Fat Suppression Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex: Comparison with spin echo, gradient echo pulse sequences and histology J Hand Surg Eur Vol., February 1, 1999; 24(1): 22 - 26. [Abstract] [PDF]

				H. G. POTTER, L. ASNIS-ERNBERG, A. J. WEILAND, R. N. HOTCHKISS, M. G. E. PETERSON, and R. R. McCORMACK JR. The Utility of High-Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Evaluation of the Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex of the Wrist J. Bone Joint Surg. Am., November 1, 1997; 79(11): 1675 - 84. [Abstract] [Full Text]