Analysis of Wrist Morphology Through Hamate and Lunate Bone Variations in Anatolian Population Using Plain Radiography / Análisis de la Morfología de la Articulación Radiocarpiana a Través de las Variaciones de los Huesos Hamato y Semilunar en la Población de Anatolia Mediante Radiografía Simple

SUMMARY: The present study aimed to evaluate wrist (lunate) anatomy in terms of the incidence of lunatum morphology on plain-radiographs among the Anatolian (Turkey) population, accompanied by demographic analysis. We obtained all the patients' data regarding demographical features, diagnosis, and posteroanterior (PA) X-ray imaging. Two radiograph-reviewers repeated the analysis twice, one month later, blinded to their findings before the previous review. The lunatum structure was determined as Type-1 (n:293) and Type-2 (n:207) for each radiograph. Most of the 500 wrists' radiographs [n:293 (58.6 %)] were type-I lunate. The mean age was 36.7±13.3 (range:18-90) years. Sex distribution was as follows: 185 (63.1 %) males to 108 (36.9 %) females. Type-2 lunate was seen in 207 participants (41.4 %). The mean age for type-2 was 41.6±15.2 (18-88) years. 142 (68.6 %) participants were male sex, while 65 (31.4 %) were females. The mean age of subjects with type-I showed a difference with type-II (p=0.007). There was no relationship in terms of sex (p=0.206) between the groups. In the Anatolian region, type-1 lunate was dominant compared to type-2. The incidence rate of lunate type in Anatolian population was similar to the Arab population.

El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar la anatomía de la articulación radiocarpiana en términos de la incidencia de la morfología del hueso semilunar en radiografías simples entre la población de Anatolia (Turquía), acompañado de un análisis demográfico. Obtuvimos todos los datos de los pacientes con respecto a las características demográficas, el diagnóstico y las imágenes de rayos X posteroanteriores (PA). Dos revisores de radiografías repitieron el análisis dos veces, un mes después, sin conocer sus hallazgos antes de la revisión anterior. La estructura del lunatum se determinó como Tipo-1 (n:293) y Tipo-2 (n:207) para cada radiografía. La mayoría de las 500 radiografías de muñecas [n:293 (58,6 %)] fueron semilunar tipo I. La edad media fue de 36,7±13,3 (rango: 18-90) años. La distribución por sexos fue la siguiente: 185 (63,1 %) hombres y 108 (36,9 %) mujeres. El semilunar tipo 2 se observó en 207 participantes (41,4 %). La edad media para el tipo 2 fue de 41,6±15,2 (18-88) años. 142 (68,6 %) participantes eran del sexo masculino, mientras que 65 (31,4 %) eran del sexo femenino. La edad media de los sujetos con tipo I mostró una diferencia con el tipo II (p = 0,007). No hubo relación en cuanto al sexo (p=0,206) entre los grupos. En la región de Anatolia, el semilunar tipo 1 era dominante en comparación con el tipo 2. La tasa de incidencia del tipo semilunar en la población de Anatolia fue similar a la de la población árabe.

Computed tomography medical image analysis of basketball players' bone geometry / Análise de imagens médicas por tomografia computadorizada da geometria óssea de jogadores de basquete / Análisis de imágenes médicas por tomografía computarizada de la geometría ósea de jugadores de baloncesto

ABSTRACT Introduction: Basketball sports will effect on the morphology and structure of the hand bones and joints. Objective: The article selected nine professional basketball players (basketball group) and 11 non-basketball players (control group) in the provincial youth team. A 64-row spiral computed tomography scan was used to scan the wrist and three-dimensional reconstruction. The volume of each carpal bone and the computed tomography value (bone density) were measured. Methods: To explore the influence of basketball sports on the hand bones and joints' morphological structure, the paper analyzes the structural characteristics of the computed tomography images of young male basketball players' wrist bones. Results: Compared with the carpal bones in the control group, the volume of the right navicular bone and the small polygonal bone, the left-hand navicular bone, the large triangular bone, and the small polygonal bone in the basketball group increased significantly (P<0.05). Conclusions: Basketball can increase the volume of the part of the wrist bones of adolescent male athletes and reduce the bone density; the morphological structure of the non-smashing wrist bones of basketball players has similar changes to that of the spikers. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment results.

RESUMO Introdução: O basquetebol afetará a morfologia e a estrutura dos ossos e articulações da mão. Objetivo: o artigo selecionou nove jogadores profissionais de basquete (grupo de basquete) e 11 não jogadores de basquete (grupo de controle) da equipe juvenil da província. Uma tomografia computadorizada espiral de 64 linhas foi usada para digitalizar o punho e a reconstrução tridimensional. O volume de cada osso do carpo e o valor da tomografia computadorizada (densidade óssea) foram medidos. Métodos: Para explorar a influência dos esportes de basquete sobre os ossos da mão e a estrutura morfológica das articulações, o artigo analisa as características estruturais das imagens de tomografia computadorizada de ossos do punho de jovens jogadores de basquete do sexo masculino. Resultados: Em comparação com os ossos do carpo no grupo de controle, o volume do osso navicular direito e o osso poligonal pequeno, o osso navicular esquerdo, o osso triangular grande e o osso poligonal pequeno no grupo de basquete aumentaram significativamente (P <0,05). Conclusões: O basquete pode aumentar o volume dos ossos do punho de atletas adolescentes do sexo masculino e reduzir a densidade óssea; a estrutura morfológica dos ossos do pulso que não se quebram em jogadores de basquete tem mudanças semelhantes às dos espigões. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos- investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

RESUMEN Introducción: el baloncesto afectará la morfología y la estructura de los huesos y articulaciones de la mano. Objetivo: El artículo seleccionó nueve jugadores de baloncesto profesionales (grupo de baloncesto) y 11 jugadores no baloncesto (grupo de control) en el equipo juvenil provincial. Se utilizó una tomografía computarizada en espiral de 64 filas para escanear la muñeca y la reconstrucción tridimensional. Se midieron el volumen de cada hueso del carpo y el valor de la tomografía computarizada (densidad ósea). Métodos: Para explorar la influencia de los deportes de baloncesto en la estructura morfológica de los huesos de la mano y las articulaciones, el artículo analiza las características estructurales de las imágenes de tomografía computarizada de los huesos de la muñeca de los jóvenes jugadores de baloncesto. Resultados: En comparación con los huesos del carpo en el grupo de control, el volumen del hueso navicular derecho y el hueso poligonal pequeño, el hueso navicular izquierdo, el hueso triangular grande y el hueso poligonal pequeño en el grupo de baloncesto aumentaron significativamente (P <0,05). Conclusiones: El baloncesto puede aumentar el volumen de los huesos de la muñeca de los deportistas varones adolescentes y reducir la densidad ósea; la estructura morfológica de los huesos de las muñecas que no se rompen de los jugadores de baloncesto tiene cambios similares a los de los atacantes. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos- investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

Artrodesis de cuatro esquinas: análisis comparativo de técnica abierta versus técnica percutánea con asistencia artroscópica / Four-corner arthrodesis: comparative analysis of open surgery versus percutaneous technique with arthroscopic assistance

INTRODUCCIÓN: La artrodesis de cuatro esquinas es una técnica de salvataje para los pacientes con artrosis avanzada del carpo. Los objetivos quirúrgicos son disminuir el dolor y mantener cierto movimiento de la muñeca. En el último tiempo, se han descrito técnicas percutáneas con asistencia artroscópica que han logrado resultados favorables, a pesar de que la técnica abierta sigue siendo el gold estándar para realizar esa técnica quirúrgica. OBJETIVO: Comparar resultados funcionales y radiológicos en pacientes con muñecas con colapso avanzado escafolunar (scapholunate advanced collapse, SLAC) o colapso avanzado en la pseudoartrosis del escafoides (scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse, SNAC) operados con técnica quirúrgica abierta versus técnica percutánea con asistencia artroscópica. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio retrospectivo tipo caso-control, de fichas clínicas e imagenología de pacientes con artrosis avanzada del carpo operados con técnica percutánea y asistencia artroscópica y cirugía abierta. Se estudian variables demográficas, dolor mediante la Escala Visual Analógica (EVA), función en rangos de movilidad, tiempo de consolidación, y corrección del ángulo capitolunar. Se describe la técnica quirúrgica de la cirugía abierta y la cirugía percutánea con asistencia artroscópica. RESULTADOS: Se estudiaron 22 pacientes del sexo masculino con edad promedio de 32,5 años. Había 13 pacientes en el grupo de casos (técnica percutánea con asistencia artroscópica) y 9 pacientes en el grupo de controles (técnica abierta). El dolor en la EVA al momento del egreso hospitalario fue de 3 para los casos y de 5 para los controles (p » 0,008), y a los 30 días del postoperatorio, fue de 0 y 3 respectivamente (p » 0,00). Los rangos de extensión y flexión fueron de 52,6° y 38,7° para los casos y de 35,7° y 32,4° para los controles (p » 0,1119 y 0,0016, respectivamente). El ángulo capitolunar fue de 10° para los controles y de 5° para los casos (p » 0,0008). El tiempo de consolidación fue de 8,8 semanas para los casos y de 12,5 semanas para los controles (p » 0,039). DISCUSIÓN: Tanto la técnica percutánea con asistencia artroscópica cuanto la cirugía abierta para realizar una artrodesis de cuatro esquinas son técnicas reproducibles y efectivas en lograr consolidación, disminución del dolor, y mantenimiento de rangos de movimiento en la muñeca. CONCLUSIÓN: En el presente trabajo se demuestran mejores promedios de los parámetros evaluados con la técnica percutánea que con la cirugía abierta; sin embargo, es necesario realizar estudios prospectivos para realizar una recomendación con respecto a la técnica quirúrgica de elección.

INTRODUCTION: Four-corner arthrodesis is a salvage technique for patients with advanced carpal osteoarthritis. This procedure aims to reduce pain and preserve wrist motion. Even though percutaneous techniques with arthroscopic assistance reportedly have favorable outcomes and the advantages of minimal invasiveness, open surgery remains the gold standard for four-corner arthrodesis. OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to compare the functional and radiological outcomes of patients with scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC) or scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse (SNAC) submitted to open surgery versus percutaneous surgery with arthroscopic assistance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective case-control study of clinical records and radiological images of patients with advanced carpal osteoarthritis submitted to percutaneous surgery with arthroscopic assistance versus open surgery. Demographic variables, pain score using the visual analog scale (VAS), function ranges of motion, time until consolidation, and correction of the capitolunate angle were analyzed. Both techniques are described. RESULTS: In total, 22 male patients with an average age of 32.5 years were studied, including 13 patients from the case group (percutaneous surgery with arthroscopic assistance) and 9 patients from the control group (open surgery). The VAS score for pain at discharge was of 3 for the cases and of 5 for the controls (p » 0.008); 30 days postoperatively, it was of 0 and 3 respectively (p » 0.00). The ranges of extension and flexion were of 52.6° and 38.7° for the case group, and of 35.7° and 32.4° for the control group (p » 0.119 and 0.0016 respectively). The capitolunate angle was of 10° for the controls and of 5° for the cases (p » 0.0008). The time until consolidation was of 8.8 weeks for the cases and of 12.5 weeks for the controls (p » 0.039). DISCUSSION: Both four-corner arthrodesis techniques are reproducible and effective in achieving consolidation, pain reduction and preservation of wrist motion. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates the superiority of the percutaneous technique with arthroscopic assistance over open surgery. Further prospective studies are required for an adequate recommendation.

Detección de tornillos prominentes en la articulación radiocarpiana mediante la proyección tangencial del escafoides dorsal / Detection of protruding screws in the radiocarpal joint using the "scaphoid skyline view"

INTRODUCCIÓN: Una de las complicaciones de la osteosíntesis retrógrada del escafoides es la protrusión del tornillo en la articulación radiocarpiana, dada la limitada visualización intraoperatoria del polo proximal del escafoides con las proyecciones tradicionales. OBJETIVO: Evaluar la capacidad de una nueva proyección radiológica, la proyección "tangencial del escafoides dorsal", o TED, para identificar tornillos prominentes radiocarpianos durante la osteosíntesis retrógrada del escafoides con tornillos canulados. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio cadavérico en muñecas frescas congeladas. Se introdujo en el escafoides un tornillo canulado con técnica retrógrada estándar. La proyección TED fue evaluada en 5 muñecas, con angulaciones del antebrazo de 15°, 30° y 45° para definir la mejor visualización del polo proximal del escafoides y del tornillo. Se comparó la capacidad para identificar la prominencia del tornillo en el polo proximal de la proyección TED de 30° con 5 proyecciones tradicionales de escafoides en 9 muñecas. El tornillo se posicionó a nivel de la superficie del escafoides, y luego se avanzó a intervalos de 0,5 mm bajo visualización directa por artrotomía dorsal. Tras cada intervalo, se repitieron todas las proyecciones para determinar su capacidad de detectar tornillos prominentes en el escafoides. RESULTADOS: La mejor visualización del polo proximal del escafoides se logró con la proyección TED de 30°. Al comparar la proyección TED de 30° y las tradicionales, con la TED se logró identificar tornillos prominentes a 0,8 mm promedio, seguida por la proyección posteroanterior con cubitalización y extensión a 1.3 mm (p » 0.014), con una alta precisión y correlación interobservador de estas proyecciones. CONCLUSIÓN: La proyección TED demostró ser la más sensible para detectar tornillos prominentes en la articulación radiocarpiana. Su uso rutinario podría evitar complicaciones durante la osteosíntesis.

INTRODUCTION: One of the complications of the retrograde percutaneous scaphoid fixation is the protrusion of the screw in the radiocarpal joint due to the limited intraoperative visualization of the proximal pole of the scaphoid with the traditional radiographic views. OBJETIVE: To evaluate the sensitivity of a novel radiographic view (the skyline scaphoid view, SSV) to detect screws protruding in the radiocarpal joint during the retrograde fixation of the scaphoid. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied nine cadaverous fresh frozen wrists. A retrograde cannulated screw was inserted in the scaphoid. To validate the SSV, 5 wrists were studied, comparing 3 forearm angulations (15°, 30° and 45°) to get the best visualization of the proximal pole and screw. We compared the ability to identify the protrusion of the screw in the proximal pole of the 30° SSV with that of 5 standard scaphoid radiographic views in 9 wrists. The screw was positioned at the level of the surface of the scaphoid, and was sequentially protruded in 0.5 mm increments, with direct visualization of its tip through a dorsal capsulotomy. After each increment, all views were repeated to determine if they were able to detect screws projecting from the scaphoid. RESULTS: The best visualization of the proximal pole of the scaphoid was found with the 30° SSV. In the comparison of the 30° SSV and the standard views, with the SSV we were able to identify the protrusion of the screws at an average of 0.8 mm, followed by the posterior-anterior view with ulnar deviation and extension at 1.3 mm (p » 0.014), with high precision and interobserver agreement regarding these views. CONCLUSION: The SSV was the most sensitive view to detect protruding screws in the proximal pole of the scaphoid. Its routine use could avoid complications during osteosynthesis.

A new musculoskeletal ultrasound scoring system (US10) of the hands and wrist joints for evaluation of early rheumatoid arthritis patients / Novo sistema de escore ultrassonográfico (US10) musculoesquelético das articulações das mãos e punho para avaliação de pacientes com artrite reumatoide em fase inicial

ABSTRACT Objective: To propose a novel ultrasound scoring system for hand and wrist joints (US10) for evaluation of patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to correlate the US10 with clinical, laboratory and functional variables. Methods: Forty-eight early RA patients underwent clinical and laboratory evaluations as well as blinded ultrasound (US) examinations at baseline, three, six and 12 months. The proposed US10 system involved the assessment of the wrist, second and third metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints. The score consisted of inflammation parameters (synovial proliferation [SP], power Doppler [PD] and tenosynovitis [TN]) and joint damage parameters (bone erosion [BE] and cartilage damage [CD]). SP, PD, BE and CD were scored qualitatively (0–1) and semi-quantitatively (grades 0–3). Tenosynovitis was scored as presence/absence. The evaluation also involved the 28-Joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and C-reactive protein level (CRP). Results: Mean duration of symptoms was 7.58 ± 3.59 months. Significant correlations (p < 0.05) were found between inflammation parameters and CRP at baseline and between the changes in these variables throughout the study. Significant correlations (p < 0.05) were found between DAS28 score and both PD and TN at baseline and between the changes in DAS28 score and both SP and TN throughout the follow up. Moreover, significant correlations were found between the changes in inflammation parameter scores and HAQ score throughout the follow up. Conclusion: The proposed US10 scoring system proved to be a useful tool for monitoring inflammation and joint damage in early RA patients, demonstrating significant correlations with longitudinal changes in disease activity and functional status.

RESUMO Objetivo: Propor um novo sistema de escore ultrassonográfico das articulações da mão e punho (US10) para a avaliação de pacientes com artrite reumatoide (AR) e correlacionar o US10 com variáveis clínicas, laboratoriais e funcionais. Métodos: Foram submetidos 48 pacientes com AR em fase inicial a avaliações clínicas e laboratoriais, bem como a exames cegos de ultrassom (US) no início do estudo e com 3, 6 e 12 meses. O sistema US10 proposto envolveu a avaliação do punho e das articulações metacarpofalângicas e interfalângicas proximais do segundo e terceiro dígitos. O escore consistiu em parâmetros inflamatórios (proliferação sinovial [PS], Power Doppler [PD] e tenossinovite [TN]) e parâmetros de danos articulares (erosão óssea [EO] e danos na cartilagem [DC]). PS, PD, EO e DC foram pontuados qualitativamente (0 a 1) e semiquantitativamente (graus 0 a 3). A tenossinovite foi pontuada como presença/ausência. A avaliação envolveu também o escore 28-Joint Disease Activity (DAS28), o Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) e o nível de proteína C-reativa (PCR). Resultados: A duração média dos sintomas foi de 7,58 ± 3,59 meses. Foram encontradas correlações estatisticamente significativas (p < 0,05) entre os parâmetros de inflamação e a PCR no início do estudo e entre as mudanças nessas variáveis ao longo do estudo. Foram encontradas também correlações significativas (p < 0,05) entre o escore DAS28 e a PD e TN no início do estudo e entre as mudanças no escore DAS28 e PS e TN em todo o seguimento. Além disso, foram encontradas correlações significativas entre as mudanças no escore dos parâmetros de inflamação e no escore HAQ ao longo do seguimento. Conclusão: O sistema de escore US10 proposto provou ser uma ferramenta útil para monitorar a inflamação e o dano articular em pacientes com AR em fase inicial, demonstra correlações significativas com as alterações longitudinais na atividade da doença e no estado funcional.

Correlation of Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Antibody with Hand Joint Erosion Score in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To examine the correlation between radiological joint damage and serological parameters in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: This retrospective study reviewed the records of 216 patients diagnosed with RA and classified them according to disease duration: group 1, 24 months; and group 3, all patients combined. The extent of joint damage was assessed from plain radiographs using a modified version of the Larsen method and compared among groups. RESULTS: The mean radiographic joint damage score was significantly higher in patients who had established RA (10.1 points) compared with those who had early RA. In group 1, the inflammatory parameters, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein were positively correlated with the joint damage score, but rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibody were not. A subgroup analysis revealed that the anti-CCP positive patients in groups 1 and 2 had greater joint damage scores than did the anti-CCP negative patients, but no difference in RF was observed between subgroups. Anti-CCP positivity was not significantly correlated with joint damage sores in group 3. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-CCP positivity was significantly correlated with more severe joint damage at diagnosis. A correlation was observed between the radiological joint damage score and inflammatory parameters in early and established RA, indicating that anti-CCP can serve as a diagnostic tool and predict structural joint damage. These findings suggest anti-CCP positive patients should receive aggressive therapeutic intervention.

Trend of bone development of adolescent at 14 years old / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To describe characteristic of hand-wrist bone development in adolescents of 14 years old in China, and to estimate trend of bone development of them.@*METHODS@#A total of 109 adolescents of 14 years was selected as subjects (males: 53, females: 56). X-rays examination of their left hand-wrist bone were performed and analyzed. The development characteristics of each position in accordance with Gu's mapping of skeletal age were compared with Gu's results and ours.@*RESULTS@#Compared with Gu's, osteoepiphysis of distal radius, the first metacarpal bone, the fourth proximal phalanx were more advanced in boys, osteoepiphysis of distal radius, the second-fifth metacarpal bones, the first-fifth proximal phalanxs, and the second-fifth middle phalanxs were more advanced in girls.@*CONCLUSION@#The results suggested that a forward trend of 14 years old adolescents bone development currently exists in our country, especially in girls. As an important age of criminal responsibility, this forward trend of development of bones among adolescents currently should be kept in mind when estimating bone age of criminals.

Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis: relation to disease activity and joint destruction

To assess the diagnostic value of anti-cycle citrullinated peptide [anti-CCP] antibodies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis [RA] and its relation to disease activity and severity of erosions and to determine whether the combined measurements of rheumatoid factor[RF] and [anti-CCP] antibodies add to diagnosis of RA. In this cross sectional study, serum samples from 60 patients with RA, 40 patients with other rheumatic diseases and 30 healthy subjects were tested for anti-CCP antibodies by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] and IgM rheumatoid factor [IgM RF] with Latex Fixation Test [LFT] and then titrated with Rose Waaler test [RW]. Radiographs of hands and wrists were taken then the joint destructions were quantified using Larsen's score. Sensitivity was higher for IgM RF [76.6%] but the specificity was higher for [anti-CCP] antibodies [95% and 96.6% versus other rheumatic disease patients and control subjects, respectively]. The combination of both IgM RF and anti-CCP measurements improve both sensitivity and specificity. Positivity of anti-CCP and RF were associated significantly with constitutional symptoms and extra-articular manifestations. Significant differences were found between RA positive and negative cases of anti-CCP or RF as regards degree of disease activity and radiological changes. While no significant differences were found when positive and negative cases of anti-CCP or RF were compared as regards duration of disease and duration of morning stiffness. RF test has a high sensitivity and weak specificity but anti-CCP has a moderate sensitivity and excellent specificity. So combined RF and anti-CCP tests are useful in establishing the diagnosis of RA especially in RA patients with negative RF

Age estimation by skeletal maturation of the bones of the wrist and hand in the Egyptian boys and girls

The hand with its numerous secondary centers in phalanges and metacarpals and the wrist with its tightly packed primary centers are useful for the purpose of recording progress of skeletal maturation and in identification. This study aimed to establish both a chronological sequence of postnatal skeletal maturation in the Egyptian children and the intersexual differences. In this study, 156 radiographic plates of the hand and wrist in posteroanterior projection of the Egyptian children between 1-13 years of age. All cases were free from any pathological conditions that could alter the normal skeletal development. The ossification centers studied in each case, corresponded to the distal epiphysis of ulna and radius, the campus, the metacarpals and the phalanges. It was found that there was a significant differences in mean [Ba] between girls and boys at 9 and 11 years where girls showed significantly higher mean [Ba] than boys. The difference between [Ba] and [Ca] was a negative value in more males than females. A detailed and ordered study of ossification center of each bone of the hand and wrist was made and the intersexual differences were demonstrated. The [Ba] and [Ca] was related statistically and the results was represented graphically. A high statistical correlation between the two variables was found. Standards representing the length of metacarpal bones and phalanges were obtained. Girls have significantly longer second metacarpal bone than boys in all age groups except at 1 and 9 years of age. Males have significally higher mean total diameter of second metacarpal than females in all age groups from 1 to 10 years except at the age of 5 years

Detection of joint affection with magnetic resonance imaging in early rheumatoid arthritis

This study was conducted on 20 patients with early rheumatoid arthritis with disease duration less than one year in order to detect early joint changes by using Magnetic Resonance Imaging [M R I] for the wrist, hand and knee. At the same time patients had: 1- Full clinical assessment with stress on swollen joint count, pain score, Ritchie articular index. 2-Standard laboratory investigations including C.B.C, ESR, CRP and RF. 3- Plain X-rays on the same joints for all patients. From our results we could find that a high proportion of patients with early rheumatoid arthritis develop joint changes which can be detected with MRI in the absence of significant clinical symptoms or radiological signs in the examined joints. So MRI is useful as an early indicator to determine the patients who require aggressive treatment early to guard against poor out come of the disease

A comparative study of the surgical procedures to treat advanced Kienbock's disease

We have treated a total of 16 cases of advanced Kienbock's disease, stage III and IV by Lichtman's classification, with triscaphe fusion, tendon ball replacement arthroplasty after excision of lunate, proximal row carpectomy as a salvage procedure and limited wrist fusion, since 1985. All cases were followed for minimal 16 months after each operation. Tendon ball replacement arthroplasty after excision of lunate could not prevent further carpal collapse with persistent chronic wrist pain. The triscaphe fusion or radio-lunate fusion induced a marked limited wrist motion later, and the triscaphe fusion alone was not fit for the treatment of advanced one because of progressive proximal migration of capitate and continuous wrist pain due to ligamentous carpal instability in follow-up. So we tried to simultaneously combine tendon ball replacement arthroplasty after excision of lunate with triscaphe fusion in far advanced Kienbock's disease, and their end results was favorable. Proximal row carpectomy could be done in far advanced Kienbock's disease with reasonably painless wrist motions. The overall end results of proximal row carpectomy are much better than any form of carpal arthrodesis. Conclusively the proper way to treat advanced Kienbock's disease seems to depend on the patient's age, their job and sex, and the stage of disease. And the cause of wrist pain in advanced Kienbock's disease seems due to ligamentous carpal instability rather than osteoarthritis on radio-lunate joint.

Role of arthrography in non-traumatic painful wrist.

The arthrographic examination was carried out in 25 patients with non-traumatic painful wrist of more than 6 weeks duration. Plain x-rays were non-contributory in making any diagnosis in 20 cases. Arthrography was performed even when plain x-rays were normal and it revealed the soft tissue abnormalities and early phases of cartilage destruction not visible on routine roentgenograms. The extent of synovial involvement demonstrated on arthrography proved useful when synovectomy was planned. After operation pain and swelling disappeared and functions of the joint improved considerably.