Diffusion tensor imaging of the median nerve in recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome - initial experience.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate median nerve structure in patients with recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and to relate DTI changes to anatomical MRI and to measures of median nerve function. METHODS: Median nerve structure was quantified according to DTI in patients with recurrent CTS and in healthy controls of similar age. Anatomical MRI was used to identify the presence of nerve compression and fibrosis. Median nerve function was measured using electromyography, a force-tracking task (accuracy of precision grip control) and clinical measures. RESULTS: Patients showed reduced apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), reduced axial diffusivity (AD) and radial diffusivity (RD) along the median nerve compared with controls (P < 0.001). Patients with endoneural fibrosis had the greatest reductions in ADC and in RD. ADC and AD correlated positively with nerve conduction velocity (R = 0.54 and R = 0.68, respectively) and fractional anisotropy correlated negatively with error during force-tracking (R = -0.58). CONCLUSIONS: A specific pattern of DTI changes in the median nerve was identified in patients with recurrent CTS. Fibrosis may be underlying these structural changes. The correlations with nerve conduction velocity and accuracy of force control suggest that DTI is a promising technique in the study of median nerve structure in recurrent CTS. KEY POINTS: • Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) offers further possibilities in musculoskeletal magnetic resonance imaging. • DTI reveals median nerve changes in recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome. • DTI changes were greater with signs of median nerve fibrosis. • DTI parameters correlated with nerve conduction and force control measures. • DTI is a promising technique in recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome.

Athletic injuries of the extensor carpi ulnaris subsheath: MRI findings and utility of gadolinium-enhanced fat-saturated T1-weighted sequences with wrist pronation and supination.

OBJECTIVE: To report the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in athletic injuries of the extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) subsheath, assessing the utility of gadolinium-enhanced (Gd) fat-saturated (FS) T1-weighted sequences with wrist pronation and supination. METHODS: Sixteen patients (13 male, three female; mean age 30.3 years) with athletic injuries of the ECU subsheath sustained between January 2003 and June 2009 were included in this retrospective study. Initial and follow-up 1.5-T wrist MRIs were performed with transverse T1-weighted and STIR sequences in pronation, and Gd FS T1-weighted sequences with wrist pronation and supination. Two radiologists assessed the type of injury (A to C), ECU tendon stability, associated lesions and rated pulse sequences using a three-point scale: 1=poor, 2=good and 3=excellent. RESULTS: Gd-enhanced FS T1-weighted transverse sequences in supination (2.63) and pronation (2.56) were most valuable, compared with STIR (2.19) and T1-weighted (1.94). Nine type A, one type B and six type C injuries were found. There were trends towards diminution in size, signal intensity and enhancement of associated pouches on follow-up MRI and tendon stabilisation within the ulnar groove. CONCLUSION: Gd-enhanced FS T1-weighted sequences with wrist pronation and supination are most valuable in assessing and follow-up athletic injuries of the ECU subsheath on 1.5-T MRI.

Oblique ulnar styloid osteotomy--a treatment for ulnar styloid impaction syndrome.

PURPOSE: We report a series of 5 patients (mean age, 41 y) presenting with ulnar styloid impingement syndrome (USIS) and treated by an oblique ulnar styloid osteotomy. The purpose of the study was to determine whether the osteotomy is an effective method for treating USIS. METHODS: The diagnosis of USIS was made based on a history of ulnar-sided wrist pain supported by clinical and radiological findings. Clinical assessment included provocative tests to differentiate USIS from pain associated with ulnocarpal impaction syndrome. The ulnar styloid length was assessed with a posteroanterior X-ray using the methods of Garcia-Elias and Biyani. The ulnar styloid was deemed excessively long if the ulnar styloid process index was greater than 0.21 or if the overall styloid length was greater than 6 mm. Ulnar variance was recorded. All wrists were assessed by computed tomography arthrography and magnetic resonance imaging studies to rule out any associated soft tissue abnormalities, including ligamentous injuries. Preoperative and postoperative pain levels were recorded using a pain scoring system. RESULTS: Patients were followed up for a mean of 46 months. Before surgery, the mean styloid length was 10 mm, and the ulnar styloid process index was 0.32. The reported pain score was significantly reduced following surgery and all patients, except one, returned to premorbid levels of activity. CONCLUSIONS: Oblique ulnar styloid osteotomy is an effective means of relieving impaction of the ulnar styloid while preserving the integrity of the intrinsic ulnar styloid ligaments. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

MRI assessment of recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome after open surgical release of the median nerve.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively determine the accuracy of MRI in identification of the morphologic features of median nerve dysfunction after surgical release of the median nerve for carpal tunnel syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two blinded readers independently evaluated axial 1.5-T MR images for retinacular regrowth, morphologic characteristics of the median nerve, and presence of mass effect, fibrosis, and carpal tunnel decompression. All 47 patients (11 men, 36 women; mean age, 55 years; range, 27-81 years) had undergone open surgical release of the median nerve for carpal tunnel syndrome. Thirty-five patients had electromyographic evidence of recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome. The other 12 patients did not have electrophysiologic evidence of recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome and were the control group. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference between the recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome and control groups was found for fibrosis (p = 0.009), nerve enhancement (p = 0.04), and median nerve width (p = 0.008) and ratio (p = 0.01) at the pisiform level. CONCLUSION: MRI may be used in association with electromyography for accurate postoperative evaluation of the carpal tunnel.

Vascular lesions of the hand.

The vascular malformations are not uncommon on the hand and offer diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Enjolras and Mulliken's classification is exposed. Their depiction and pretreatment assessment may benefit from non-invasive imaging as color-Doppler ultrasound and MRI combined with magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). Some chronic traumatic vascular injuries as the hypothenar hammer syndrome may also take advantage of these imaging modalities.

Bilateral pisiform-hamate coalition causing carpal tunnel syndrome and tendon attrition. A case report.

Congenital coalition of pisiform and hamate is rare and had been considered asymptomatic in the first reports. The authors report a case of bilateral pisiform-hamate coalition in a young patient, causing symptoms of median nerve compression in the carpal tunnel and attritional changes on digital flexor tendons. This type of coalition had not previously been related to such symptoms. Additionally, the morphology of the coalition on the right side is unique among published cases. Surgical treatment with bilateral excision of the coalition resulted in the resolution of symptoms.

Intercarpal degenerative arthritis in adulthood as a late consequence of unilateral congenital aplasia of the scaphoid: a case report.

We report a case of unilateral congenital aplasia of the carpal scaphoid bone discovered in adulthood, which probably caused a severe painful intercarpal degenerative arthritis. This case was not associated with hypoplasia or aplasia of thenar and forearm muscles, abnormality of the skeleton of the thumb ray, absence of the sesamoid bones, hypoplasia of the forearm bones, as in cases reported in the literature; the only additional anatomic abnormality was a mild hypoplasia of the radial styloid. A surgical treatment (4-bone arthrodesis) has been performed to treat the advanced carpal collapse and the arthritis.

Escisión de la apófisis unciforme del hueso ganchoso / Uncinate process of hamate excision in non-union

Introducción: Las fracturas del gancho del ganchoso son raras, su diagnóstico suele ser tardío y la falta de consolidación es frecuente. Materiales y métodos: Entre 1988 y 2005 fueron operados 14 pacientes que presentaban ausencia de consolidación de la apófisis unciforme mediante su ablación. Se evaluó el tiempo desde el traumatismo y el diagnóstico, los estudios complementarios realizados y la presentación clínica. Todos los pacientes fueron tratados mediante la ablación del gancho del ganchoso. Los resultados fueron evaluados mediante el Mayo Modified Wrist Score. Para la evaluación estadística de los datos se utilizó la prueba de la t de Student. Resultados: El tiempo promedio transcurrido entre el comienzo de las manifestaciones clínicas y el diagnóstico fue de 9 meses (rango 3 a 204 meses). Ocho pacientes presentaron muy buen resultado (57,2 por ciento), 4 bueno (28,6 por ciento), 1 regular (7,1 por ciento) y 1 malo (7,1 por ciento). De los 11 deportistas, 10 volvieron a su nivel anterior. No hubo complicaciones significativas. Conclusiones: La ablación del gancho del ganchoso es una excelente alternativa terapéutica en casos de ausencia de consolidación de la fractura y permite una rápida reinserción a las actividades cotidianas.

MR imaging of the metacarpophalangeal joints of the fingers: evaluation of 38 patients with chronic joint disability.

OBJECTIVE: To report the MR imaging findings of painful injured metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints of the fingers. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: MR imaging of 39 injured MCP joints in 38 patients was performed after a mean delay of 8.8 months. The MR images were obtained with the fingers in extended and flexed positions using T2-weighted and T1-weighted sequences before and after intravenous injection of a gadolinium compound. Ten patients were treated surgically. Mean clinical follow-up was 1.8 years. RESULTS: Tears of the collateral ligaments were the most common lesion (30/39), most being radial in location. Contrast-enhanced axial T1-weighted images with the MCP joint in a flexed position showed these lesions optimally. Ten tears were partial and 20 were complete. In 13 patients, MR images showed 17 associated lesions including injuries of the extensor hood (10/17), interosseous tendon (3/17), palmar plate (3/17), and an osteochondral lesion (1/17). Sagittal MR images were essential to highlight palmar plate tears. CONCLUSION: Partial or complete tears of the collateral ligaments are prevalent MR imaging findings in patients with chronic disability resulting from injuries to the MCP joints. Although conservative treatment generally is sufficient for isolated injuries of the collateral ligaments, surgical repair is often required in cases of more extensive injuries. MR imaging may clearly delineate associated lesions of and about the MCP joints.

Recurrent glomus tumors of fingertips: MR imaging evaluation.

PURPOSE: To determine the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings in recurrent glomus tumors of the fingertips. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four consecutive patients with recurrent pain after previous excision of a glomus tumor of the fingertip underwent MR imaging studies and surgery. T1-weighted spin-echo MR images were obtained in each patient before and after intravenous injection of contrast material; T2-weighted spin-echo and three-dimensional gradient-recalled echo images were also obtained. MR angiography was performed in four patients. Postsurgical histopathologic analysis revealed recurrent glomus tumors in 22 patients. Signal intensity, enhancement, and margins of the scar tissue and the recurrent tumors at MR were assessed. RESULTS: The postsurgical scars were depicted in 21 (88%) of 24 patients with all sequences but were best demonstrated on gradient-recalled echo MR images. Seven patients had undergone multiple surgical procedures and had extensive scar tissue and, in one case, a neuroma. In all patients, MR imaging revealed a nodule compatible with the diagnosis of a recurrent glomus tumor. In 13 (54%) of 24 patients, the nodule had typical features of a glomus tumor. In eight (33%) of 24 patients, the tumors had low signal intensity or isointensity compared with the nail bed on T2-weighted images. In six (25%) of 24 patients, the tumors had faint enhancement after intravenous gadolinium chelate administration. The margins of the tumors were blurred by scar tissue in nine of 24 cases. CONCLUSION: MR imaging can aid in the evaluation of recurrent glomus tumors.

Tumores glomicos de la mano / Glomus tumor of the hand

Este estudio se llevo a cabo para determinar las caracteristicas clinicas, el valor de las diferentes examenes complementarios y las dificultades encontradas en el diagnostico y tratamiento de 82 tumores glomicos de la mano, tratados en un lapso de 20 años y con un seguimiento promedio de 67,4 meses. Setenta y ocho pacientes presentaron desaparicion completa del dolor. No se constato ninguna distrofia ungueal. Hubo 8 recidivas tumorales. El diagnostico de los tumores glomicos de la mano es fundamentalmente clinico. La imaginologia nos permite confirmar la presencia del tumor, localizarlo con precision y seleccionar el abordaje. La via de abordaje latero-ungueal es de eleccion para los tumores peri o sub-ungueales