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Scapholunate kinematics of asymptomatic wrists in comparison with symptomatic contralateral wrists using four-dimensional CT examinations: initial clinical experience

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Abstract

Objectives

Using four-dimensional CT scan (4DCT), we aimed at showing the kinematics of scapholunate (SL) interval in asymptomatic wrists in comparison with symptomatic contralateral wrists with inconclusive radiographic findings.

Methods

This is an IRB approved, HIPPA compliant, retrospective study. Patients suspected of SL interosseous ligament (SLIL) injuries were referred for further evaluation of chronic wrist pain (>3 months). Twelve wrists (11 subjects) with chronic symptoms and inconclusive plain radiographs and 10 asymptomatic wrists (in 10 different subjects) were scanned using 4DCT. The minimum SL interval was measured during three wrist motions: relaxed-to-clenched fist, flexion-to-extension, and radial-to-ulnar-deviation. Changes were recorded using double-oblique multiplanar reformation technique.

Results

We extracted the normal limits of the SL interval as measured by dynamic CT scanning during active motion in asymptomatic wrists. In asymptomatic wrists, the average SL interval was observed to be smaller than 1 mm during all motions. In symptomatic wrists, during exams performed with clenched fist (SL interval (mean ± SD) = 2.53 ± 1.19 mm), extension (2.54 ± 1.48 mm) or ulnar deviation (2.06 ± 1.12 mm), the average SL interval was more than 2 mm. In contrast to symptomatic wrists, no significant change in SL interval measurements was detected during wrist motions in asymptomatic wrists. There was a mild to moderate correlation between SL interval change and presence/absence of symptoms (point-biserial correlation coefficients: 0.29–0.55).

Conclusion

In patients with wrist pain suspicious for SLIL injury and inconclusive radiographs, SL interval increase can be detected with 4DCT in the symptomatic wrist compared to the asymptomatic wrist.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Musculoskeletal Radiology, Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University, 601 N. Caroline Street, JHOC 5165, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA

    Shadpour Demehri, Nima Hafezi-Nejad, John N. Morelli, Uma Thakur & John Eng

  2. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Scott D. Lifchez & Jaimie T. Shores

  3. The Curtis National Hand Center, MedStar Union Memorial Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Kenneth R. Means

Authors
  1. Shadpour Demehri
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  2. Nima Hafezi-Nejad
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  3. John N. Morelli
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  4. Uma Thakur
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  5. Scott D. Lifchez
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  6. Kenneth R. Means
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  7. John Eng
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  8. Jaimie T. Shores
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Correspondence to Shadpour Demehri.

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Conflicts of interest

Shadpour Demehri has grants from GERRAF 2014–2016; Carestream Health Inc. 2013–2015 for Cone – Beam CT clinical trial; Toshiba Medical Systems as a consultant. Other authors declare no conflicts of interest. This study is an IRB approved, HIPAA compliant study (approved by the institutional review board of the Johns Hopkins University).

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Demehri, S., Hafezi-Nejad, N., Morelli, J.N. et al. Scapholunate kinematics of asymptomatic wrists in comparison with symptomatic contralateral wrists using four-dimensional CT examinations: initial clinical experience. Skeletal Radiol 45, 437–446 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-015-2308-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-015-2308-0

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