Kimberly Amrami^1
1Mayo Clinic

Karen Chi-Lynn Chen^1
1Radiology, Veterans Administration San Diego Healthcare System/University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States

This presentation is a brief overview of the magnetic resonance imaging appearance of wrist fractures and their complications.  The diagnostic criteria for avascular necrosis and advanced imaging techniques will be discussed.

Catherine Petchprapa

Carpal (wrist) stability is dependent on static and dynamic stabilizers.  Injury to these structures can result in carpal instability.  The wrist is clinically considered unstable if there is symptomatic carpal malalignment, if it is unable to bear physiologic load and is found to be kinematically abnormal.  Carpal instability encompasses a wide range of pathologies with varying clinical presentations, which can sometimes make clinical diagnosis challenging.  Diagnostic imaging, particularly magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, plays an important role in the evaluation of the patient with suspected carpal instability, and is most successful in doing so when imaging is optimized and the interpreting radiologist is familiar with the complex anatomy and pathologic findings seen on imaging.

James Teh

This lecture outlines the role of MRI in inflammatory conditions of the wrist. The imaging technique and findings are presented. Recommendations are made for the appropriate use of MRI in inflammatory arthritis.