Distal radius fracture MRI

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Rohan A. Bhimani, M.B.B.S., D.N.B., M.Ch.[2]

Overview

Although MRI is not the go to test in evaluating acute distal radius fractures, it is very useful in diagnosing osseous, ligamentous and soft tissue abnormalities associated with these fractures such as triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC).

MRI is not the first choice in evaluating acute distal radius fractures, it is a powerful diagnostic tool to assess bony, ligamentous and soft tissue abnormalities associated with these fractures.^[1]^[2]^[3]
MRI has proved to be a very important diagnostic tool for delineating:
- Perforation of triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC)
- Perforation of interosseous ligaments of proximal carpal row
- Evaluation of occult fractures
- Post-traumatic or avascular necrosis of carpal bones
- Injuries to flexor or extensor tendons
- Injury to the median nerve
- Evaluation of carpal tunnel disease after malunion of distal radial fractures

↑ Reicher, Murray (1990). MRI of the wrist and hand. New York: Raven Press. ISBN 9780881676648.
↑ Golimbu CN, Firooznia H, Melone CP, Rafii M, Weinreb J, Leber C (1989). “Tears of the triangular fibrocartilage of the wrist: MR imaging”. Radiology. 173 (3): 731–3. doi:10.1148/radiology.173.3.2813778. PMID 2813778.
↑ Metz VM, Gilula LA (1993). “Imaging techniques for distal radius fractures and related injuries”. Orthop Clin North Am. 24 (2): 217–28. PMID 8479720.