High-resolution ultrasound (HR-US) evaluation of extrinsic carpal ligaments: comparison with magnetic resonance (MR) artrography

Purpose: Carpal ligaments can be divided into intrinsic and extrinsic ligaments. Extrinsic ligaments are often involved in carpal instability. The aim of this study is to describe the normal ultrasound appearance of extrinsic carpal ligaments with HR-US. We compared our results to MR arthrography. Methods and materials: We have studied both wrist in 21 patients (12 males, 9 females, range 18–62 years, mean age 34 years) with a ultrasound scanner equipped with a high resolution linear broadband array (5–17 Mhz). We have scanned along the major axis of extrinsic palmar, dorsal and collateral ligaments to assess th…