X-rays - Neutral position
The neutral position is crucial for correct image interpretation of wrist radiographs in two planes. See how the neutral views are correctly acquired and checked with characteristics.
Radiology of the hand
X-rays - Midhand, fingers
Fractures, dislocations, and osteoarthritis are common at the midhand and fingers as well as in the metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints. Precise radiographs are essential.
X-rays - Arthrography
Indications for carpal arthrography are the scapholunate and lunotriquetral dissociations, lesions of the foveal lamina of the TFCC and initial stages of chondropathy.
CT - Positioning and regions
The scan volume should be kept to a minimum in CT diagnostics in order to fulfil radiation protection guidelines and to limit the number of images.
CT - Axis of the scaphoid
The scaphoid has a special position on the wrist because it is orientated at angles of approx. 45 degrees relative to the coronal and sagittal planes. This is relevant in CT imaging.
MRI - Positioning, regions
In to obtain a high spatial resolution in a reasonable examination time, the field of view (FoV) and the number of sequences must be kept small in MR imaging.
MRI - Planes, parameters
Because of the large number of differently aligned structures in several anatomic regions, many dedicated MRI protocols must be used on the hand.
MRI - Arthrography
MR arthrography is highly sensitive for detecting intra-articular disorders (scapholunate and lunotriquetral dissociation, TFCC lesion, chondropathy).
X-rays - Stress, Stecher view
Two additional radiographs of the wrist are important for detecting injuries, namely the stress radiograph in the ball grip and the Stecher view. See how these are performed.
X-rays - Whole-hand views
Radiographs of the whole hand are taken in the diagnostics of severe hand injuries, inflammatory systemic diseases, and in congenital malformations. Three views are often used.
Ultrasound - Soft tissues
Although often underestimated by radiologists, high-frequency ultrasound plays an important role in the assessment of pathologies of the soft-tissues.
CT - Planes and parameters
Standardized slice reconstructions from the three-dimensional CT data set are important for image interpretation and reproducibility in follow-up studies.
CT - Arthrography
CT arthrography is a sensitive method for detecting intra-articular pathologies (scapholunate / lunotriquetral dissociation, TFCC lesion, chonodropathy).
MRI - Contrast agent
Unlike the often-unenhanced examinations, in our opinion it is essential to perform MRI of the hand with the use of contrast agent (intravenous, intra-articular).
MRI - Sequence protocols
MRI sequence protocols have to be anatomically and technically adapted to the clinical question and reproducible in the follow-up.