RESUMO
To determine the diagnostic efficiency of ultrasonography [U/S] and magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] in detecting de Quervain's tenosynovitis. Forty wrists of 29 symptomatic patients [21 females and 8 males] were selected during a 12 months period. Patients with suggestive clinical de Quervain's tenosynovitis underwent both wrist ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging, to determine changes in the first dorsal compartment thickness in both genders. T1-weighted images were obtained in axial, sagittal and coronal planes. Whereas, T2-weighted gradient echo images and T2-weighted fat saturation images were performed in axial and coronal planes. Cohen Kappa was used for statistical analysis. The ultrasonographic results among all diseased wrists showed 100% tendon thickening, 97.5% peritendinous edema, 72.5% decreased tendon mobility and 70% septation. The magnetic resonance imaging results showed 95% tendon thickening, 85% peritendinous edema, 62.5% increased tendon signal, 60% septation, 55% subcutaneous edema, and 45% synovial thickening among the whole group. All values demonstrated differences among genders and more prominent in females.The prime reliable finding is in respect to superiority of ultrasound in all comparable criteria which was confirmed by statistical results. Ultrasonography is considered the favorite technique to validate the clinical diagnosis. It gives special accuracy and high diagnostic capability even in early stages. Magnetic resonance imaging could be significant in doubtful clinical diagnoses not confirmed by ultrasonography. In addition, magnetic resonance imaging has advanced capability to detect other soft tissue and bone marrow abnormalities