Lunotriquetral interosseous ligament of the wrist: MR appearances in asymptomatic volunteers and arthrographically normal wrists.

PURPOSE

To determine whether the carpal lunotriquetral ligament (LTL) can be consistently seen and to establish the normal range of LTL appearances at magnetic resonance (MR) imaging as a basis for comparison with LTL tears.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MR imaging was used to identify and characterize the LTL in 75 wrists with normal LTLs (54 in 27 asymptomatic volunteers, 21 in patients with normal arthrograms).

RESULTS

The LTL was identified in all wrists and was linear in 63% and delta-shaped in 35%. The LTL had homogeneous low signal intensity in 73% and linear intermediate signal intensity traversing all or part of the LTL in 25%. Fluid signal intensity traversed the LTL in only one wrist. MR appearance of the osseous insertion sites varied. Distribution of hyaline cartilage signal was related to location within the LTL.

CONCLUSION

The LTL can be consistently identified at MR imaging, but its appearance varies, which must be appreciated when evaluating wrists with suspected LTL tears.