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MR Imaging of the Metacarpophalangeal Joints of the Fingers

Part I. Conventional MR Imaging and MR Arthrographic Findings in Cadavers¹

¹ From the Department of Radiology, Veterans Administration Medical Center, 3350 La Jolla Village Dr, San Diego, CA 92161 (N.H.T., C.W.A.P., D.J.T., D.R.); Department of Radiology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland (N.H.T.); and Department of Radiology B, CHU Cochin, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris-Université Paris V, France (J.L.D.). Received December 18, 2000; revision requested February 7, 2001; final revision received July 25; accepted July 30. Supported by the Swiss Radiological Society and the Swiss National Science Foundation. Address correspondence to D.R. (e-mail: dresnick@ucsd.edu). © RSNA, 2001

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the normal anatomy of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints of the fingers with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and MR arthrography in cadavers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR images of 20 MCP joints of the fingers of five fresh human cadaveric hands in the extended and flexed positions were obtained before and after arthrography. The MR appearances of all articular and periarticular structures were analyzed and compared with those seen on anatomic sections. Two readers independently graded the visibility of these structures. Interobserver agreement was tested by using the statistic.

RESULTS: The main collateral ligaments could be best evaluated on the transverse images of flexed fingers. The accessory bands of the collateral ligament complex were best seen on the transverse images of extended fingers. Sagittal MR images were best for evaluating the palmar plate and the capsule. MR arthrography improved the visualization of all articular and periarticular structures. The values related to conventional MR imaging findings at all sequences, 0.42–0.71, indicated moderate to substantial agreement. The values for the MR arthrographic sequences, 0.59–0.74, were slightly higher than those for the nonenhanced sequences.

CONCLUSION: Conventional MR imaging and MR arthrography enable accurate visualization of the important anatomic structures of the MCP joints. MR arthrography enhances visualization of the intraarticular elements.

Index terms: Extremities, MR, 437.121411, 437.121412, 437.121416, 437.12143, 437.124 • Fingers and toes, 437.40, 437.92 • Hand, arthrography, 437.12143, 437.124, 437.92 • Magnetic resonance (MR), arthrography, 437.12143, 437.124

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