Presentation Format: Scientific poster presentation.
Purpose or Learning Objective: To assess advantages in diagnostic accuracy and confidence provided by radial multiplanar
reconstructions (MPRs) over standard planes for triangular fibrocartilage complex
(TFCC) lesions in computed tomography (CT) arthrography.
Methods or Background: A total of 106 patients (49 women, 57 men; 44.2 ± 15.8 years of age) underwent CT
imaging after multicompartment arthrography of the wrist. Two radiologists (R1, R2)
analyzed three randomized data sets for each CT arthrography. One set contained only
axial, coronal, and sagittal planes; the other two included an additional radial reconstruction
with the rotating center either atop the ulnar styloid or in the ulnar fovea. Readers
evaluated the visibility and condition of both TFCC layers. Lesions were categorized
according to the classifications of Palmer and Atzei. Diagnostic confidence was stated
on a 5-point Likert scale.
Results or Findings: Visualization of the superficial (MPRFovea: R1/R2, p < 0.001/<0.001; MPRStyloid: p = 0.007/<0.001) and deep (all p < 0.001) TFCC layer was superior with the addition of radial reconstructions. Palmer
and Atzei lesions were present in 86.8% and 52.8% of patients, respectively. Specificity,
sensitivity, and accuracy for central Palmer lesions did not differ for radial and
standard MPRs. For peripheral Atzei lesions, sensitivity (Standard 0.79/0.80; Styloid
0.95/0.95; Fovea 0.91/0.89) and accuracy (Standard 0.87/0.86; Styloid 0.96/0.95; Fovea
0.94/0.92) improved with the addition of the styloid-centered (p = .004/.008) and fovea-centered (p = 0.039/0.125) reconstructions. No difference was observed between both radial MPRs
(p = 0.688/0.250). Diagnostic confidence increased with the addition of either radial
MPR (all p < 0.001). Interrater agreement was very good for each data set (Standard κ = 0.862;
Styloid κ = 0.878; Fovea κ = 0.933).
Conclusion: Additional radial MPRs improve diagnostic accuracy and the confidence of readers
to detect peripheral TFCC lesions in CT arthrography of the wrist.