Radiology, Vol 200, 237-241, Copyright © 1996 by Radiological Society of North America

ARTICLES

Scapholunate ligament: normal MR appearance on three-dimensional gradient-recalled-echo images

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

PURPOSE: To evaluate the (a) capability of coronal three-dimensional (3D) gradient-recalled-echo (GRE) images in the demonstration of the volar, middle, and dorsal portions of the scapholunate ligament (SLL); (b) normal magnetic resonance (MR) appearance of these portions and of their attachment to the lunate and scaphoid; and (c) normal appearance of the ligament-cartilage interface for various portions of the SLL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Coronal 3D GRE imaging was used to study the volar, middle, and dorsal portions of the SLL in 14 patients with an arthroscopically normal SLL and in five cadaveric wrists that had a normal SLL proved with dissection. RESULTS: The trapezoidal volar portion of the SLL was seen with inhomogeneous high intermediate signal intensity and attached directly to the lunate and scaphoid cortex. The triangular middle portion was seen with inhomogeneous intermediate signal intensity and in most cases attached to the hyaline cartilage of the lunate and scaphoid. The low-signal-intensity bandlike dorsal portion attached either to the cartilage, cartilage and cortex, or cortex alone of the lunate and scaphoid. CONCLUSION: The volar, middle, and dorsal portions of the SLL can be differentiated on the basis of MR appearance on 3D GRE images. The various portions attach to cartilage and/or to cortex, and the appearance of the ligament-cartilage interface follows a specific pattern.

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]

				M. R. Schmid, T. Schertler, C. W. Pfirrmann, N. Saupe, M. Manestar, S. Wildermuth, and D. Weishaupt Interosseous Ligament Tears of the Wrist: Comparison of Multi-Detector Row CT Arthrography and MR Imaging Radiology, December 1, 2005; 237(3): 1008 - 1013. [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. Mohr, A. Guermazi, H. K. Genant, J. A. Jacobson, E. Oh, and T. Propeck Value of Sonography of the Scapholunate Ligament Am. J. Roentgenol., July 1, 2003; 181 (1): 275 - 277. [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. H. Haims, M. E. Schweitzer, W. B. Morrison, D. Deely, R. C. Lange, A. L. Osterman, J. M. Bednar, J. S. Taras, and R. W. Culp Internal Derangement of the Wrist: Indirect MR Arthrography versus Unenhanced MR Imaging Radiology, June 1, 2003; 227(3): 701 - 707. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. A. Jacobson, E. Oh, T. Propeck, P. J. L. Jebson, D. A. Jamadar, and C. W. Hayes Sonography of the Scapholunate Ligament in Four Cadaveric Wrists: Correlation with MR Arthrography and Anatomy Am. J. Roentgenol., August 1, 2002; 179(2): 523 - 527. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. J. Walsh, R. A. Berger, and W. P. Cooney Current Status of Scapholunate Interosseous Ligament Injuries J. Am. Acad. Ortho. Surg., January 1, 2002; 10(1): 32 - 42. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. SCHADEL-HOPFNER, J. IWINSKA-ZELDER, T. BRAUS, G. BOHRINGER, K. J. KLOSE, and L. GOTZEN Mri Versus Arthroscopy in the Diagnosis of Scapholunate Ligament Injury J Hand Surg Eur Vol., February 1, 2001; 26(1): 17 - 21. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. D. Linkous, S. D. Pierce, and L. A. Gilula Scapholunate Ligamentous Communicating Defects in Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Wrists: Characteristics Radiology, September 1, 2000; 216(3): 846 - 850. [Abstract] [Full Text]