Conventional radiography is the first modality to investigate the radio-ulno-carpal joint in the event of trauma or instability. This study sought to determine the reliability of cone beam computer tomography (CBCT) and scout of view in evaluating carpal alignment compared with conventional radiographs in order to assess the influence of wrist kinematics on usual measurements. We prospectively recruited 305 patients who successively underwent plain radiography and CBCT. 51 patients with prior acute unilateral wrist trauma were eligible for entry into the study (mean age of 39 years). Three blinded readers performed the measurements separately. The axial method and bony axial lines defined previously in the literature were applied, with three categories of measurements performed, consisting of distal radio-ulnar, radiocarpal, and radio/carpometacarpal measurements. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for paired t-test were calculated to assess inter- and intra-observer agreements. Inter-observer agreement was very high (>0.94) for all modalities. Intra-observer reliability between scout view and CBCT was almost perfect for all measurements. Intra-observer reliability between radiograph and scout view/CBCT was perfect for distal radio-ulnar measurements, substantial for radio-carpal, and moderate for radio/carpometacarpal measurements. In the absence of a strict position control between two imaging acquisitions, only distal radio-ulnar measurements were shown perfectly reliable when using these two imaging methods, which is suggestive of a minor relevance of ulnar/radial deviation. Excepting for some angles, the radio-carpal and radio-carpometacarpal measurements were shown to differ according to wrist position, being thus more sensitive to flexion/extension of the wrist.

Objectives: To determine prevalence in the symptomatic population of dorsal mucoid cysts centered on dorsal capsuloscapholunate septum (DCSS) using high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for anatomoclinical and epidemiological correlations. Materials and methods: This single-center retrospective study analyzed all 3-Tesla MRIs consecutively performed for painful wrists in 295 patients. Two blinded readers performed measurements. The protocol included T1 spin echo and 3D proton density sequences with fat saturation. Inter-observer reliability was assessed using kappa and intra-class correlation coefficients for cyst detection and volumetry, respectively. Disagreements concerning cyst detection were resolved by a consensus reading. Cyst size, relationship to extrinsic and scapholunate ligaments (SL), continuity of SL, minimum distance to the posterior interosseous nerve (PIN), cyst communication with joint, and anatomical classifications of cysts were analyzed. Correlation tests were performed to assess associations. Results: Two-hundred ninety-five patients (mean age 39.6 +/− 15.6 (standard deviation), 161 males) were evaluated for detection of dorsal wrist cysts identified in 150/295. In this subgroup, the mean age was 38.7 years (15–75), the sex ratio of 0.6 (59% women), and the median volume cyst of 8.7 mm³ (0.52–2555). Cyst detection, volume, and major axis measurements showed very high agreement between observers, respectively, 0.89, 0.96, and 0.91. 42 patients had dorsal SL pain. A weak negative correlation was found between distance to PIN and dorsal SL pain (r = −0.2415; p < 0.05) and a weak positive correlation between Guérini’s classification and dorsal SL pain (r = 0.2466; p < 0.05). Conclusion: High-field MRI is the modality of choice for the detection, anatomical, and volumetric assessment of dorsal cysts. Preoperative assessment will be aided by the proposed revised anatomical classification. Clinical relevance statement: High-field MRI is the modality of choice for the anatomical study of dorsal ganglion cysts. It allows the radiologist to accurately describe the anatomical relationships, size, and visibility of the pedicle, essential information for the surgeon’s preoperative assessment. Key Points: Dorsal mucoid wrist ganglion is a condition for which prevalence remains to be determined. High-field MRI is a reproducible imaging modality for the detection and assessment of dorsal wrist cysts. High-field MRI has a key role in the preoperative management of dorsal mucoid cysts.

Introduction: The trapeziometacarpal (TMC) joint is a complex joint, whose anatomy and function are different from the metacarpophalangeal joints of the long fingers. The stability of this joint is ensured at three levels by multiple structures: osteochondral, capsulo-ligamentous, and musculo-tendinous. The anatomical and biomechanical structures ensuring the stability of the TMC joint are perfectly evaluated on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with a high degree of confidence. All described ligaments are anatomically visible and perfectly assessed on MRI and ultrasound (US): the dorsoradial ligament, the posterior oblique ligament, the intermetacarpal ligament, the ulnar collateral ligament, the two bundles of the anterior oblique ligament (break ligament), as well as the superficial anterior oblique and deep anterior oblique ligaments. Methodology: This educational review assesses the TMC joint anatomy using high-field MRI and US compared with cadaveric specimens as well the biomechanics of this joint. In addition, it highlights pathological patterns of traumatic (sprain, dislocation, and fractures) and degenerative diseases. Results and conclusion: Knowledge of TMC joint anatomy is crucial to the radiologists' understanding and assessment of various traumatic and degenerative pathologies, and thus helps clinicians and surgeons choose the appropriate treatment.

The emergence of 7T clinical MRI technology has sparked our interest in its ability to discern the complex structures of the hand. Our primary objective was to assess the sensory and motor nerve structures of the hand, specifically nerves and Pacinian corpuscles, with the dual purpose of aiding diagnostic endeavors and supporting reconstructive surgical procedures. Ethical approval was obtained to carry out 7T MRI scans on a cohort of volunteers. Four volunteers assumed a prone position, with their hands (N = 8) positioned in a “superman” posture. To immobilize and maintain the hand in a strictly horizontal position, it was affixed to a plastic plate. Passive B0 shimming was implemented. Once high-resolution 3D images had been acquired using a multi-transmit head coil, advanced post-processing techniques were used to meticulously delineate the nerve fiber networks and mechanoreceptors. Across all participants, digital nerves were consistently located on the phalanges area, on average, between 2.5 and 3.5 mm beneath the skin, except within flexion folds where the nerve was approximately 1.8 mm from the surface. On the phalanges area, the mean distance from digital nerves to joints was approximately 1.5 mm. The nerves of the fingers were closer to the bone than to the surface of the skin. Furthermore, Pacinian corpuscles exhibited a notable clustering primarily within the metacarpal zone, situated on the palmar aspect. Our study yielded promising results, successfully reconstructing and meticulously describing the anatomy of nerve fibers spanning from the carpus to the digital nerve division, alongside the identification of Pacinian corpuscles, in four healthy volunteers (eight hands).

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance, image quality, and inter- and intra-observer agreement of the 3D T1 multi-echo fast field echo (mFFE) sequence in cervico-thoraco-lumbar vertebral fractures compared with conventional computed tomography (CT) as the gold standard. Methods: We conducted a prospective single-centre study including 29 patients who underwent spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the surgeon’s request, in addition to CT for vertebral fracture assessment and classification. A 3D T1 mFFE sequence was added to the standard MRI protocol. Consecutively, two readers analyzed the 3D mFFE sequence alone, the 3D mFFE sequence with the entire MRI protocol, including the STIR and T1 sequences, and, finally, the CT images in random order and 1 month apart. A standardized assessment was performed to determine the presence or absence of a fracture, its location, its classification according to the Genant and AO classifications for traumatic and osteoporotic fractures, respectively, the loss of height of the anterior and posterior walls of the vertebral body, and the presence of concomitant disco-ligamentous lesions. Contingency tables, intraclass correlation coefficients, and Cohen’s kappa tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: A total of 25 fractures were recorded (48% cervical, 20% thoracic, and 32% lumbar), of which 52% were classified A, according to the AO classification system. The quality of the 3D mFFE image was good or excellent in 72% of cases. Inter-observer agreement was near perfect (0.81–1) for vertebral body height and for AO and Genant classifications for all modalities. Intra-observer agreement was strong-to-near perfect between CT and the 3D mFFE sequence. Regarding the diagnostic performance of the 3D mFFE sequence, the sensitivity was 0.9200 and 0.9600, the specificity was 0.9843 and 0.9895, and the accuracy was 0.9861 and 0.9769 for Readers 1 and 2, respectively. In addition, up to 40% of intervertebral disc lesions and 33% of ligamentous lesions were detected by the 3D mFFE sequence compared to CT, allowing four AO type A fractures to be reclassified as type B. Conclusions: The 3D mFFE sequence allows accurate diagnosis of vertebral fractures, with superiority over CT in detecting disco-ligamentous lesions and a more precise classification of fractures, which can prompt clinicians to adapt their management despite an image quality that still requires improvement in some cases. Key points: Vertebral fractures and disco-ligamentous lesions can be assessed using CT-like MRI sequences, with 3D T1 mFFE being superior to CT for the detection of disco-ligamentous lesions. CT-like images using the 3D T1 mFFE sequence improve the diagnostic accuracy of bone structures in MRI.

Os centrale carpi is an uncommon accessory carpal bone. We report, to the best of our knowledge, the first case of imaging findings of “os centrale carpi bone bruising” simulating an acute scaphoid fracture. The various differential diagnoses of this entity are discussed. A 22-year-old man presented to our hospital with dorsolateral wrist pain following trauma. Radiography revealed a potential fracture line in the distal pole of the scaphoid and a fracture of the base of the ulnar styloid. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed bone bruising of the os centrale carpi and a fracture of the ulnar styloid process. The objective of this case report is to present the imaging findings of os centrale carpi bone bruising, an uncommon occurrence in wrist trauma.