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The role of the extrinsic ligaments, together with the intrinsic ligaments, appears to be much more important than previously thought in the setting of carpal stability. The anatomy and pathology of the extrinsic wrist ligaments is complex. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with thin slices is essential for visualization. This article describes the pathological appearance of the extrinsic palmar and dorsal radiocarpal and ulnocarpal ligaments on MRI, correlated with arthroscopy (performed by two skilled hand surgeons), clinical findings, and follow-up. High-resolution MRI, especially using isotropic three-dimensional sequences with orthogonal multiplanar reconstructions on 3T MR systems, allows detailed depiction of many of the extrinsic ligaments affected in carpal injuries. Recognition of ligament abnormalities is improved by intra-articular or intravenous injection of contrast before the examination. Both techniques may help to determine the precise localization, size, and extent of dorsal and palmar radiocarpal and ulnocarpal ligament lesions. Further experience with these techniques is needed to define the place of MRI in the management of traumatic wrist injuries.

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The scapholunate joint is one of the most involved in wrist injuries. Its stability depends on primary and secondary stabilisers forming together the scapholunate complex. This ligamentous complex is often evaluated by wrist arthroscopy. To avoid surgery as diagnostic procedure, optimization of MR imaging parameters as use of three-dimensional (3D) sequences with very thin slices and high spatial resolution, is needed to detect lesions of the intrinsic and extrinsic ligaments of the scapholunate complex. The paper reviews the literature on imaging of radial-sided carpal ligaments with advanced computed tomographic arthrography (CTA) and magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA) to evaluate the scapholunate complex. Anatomy and pathology of the ligamentous complex are described and illustrated with CTA, MRA and corresponding arthroscopy. Sprains, mid-substance tears, avulsions and fibrous infiltrations of carpal ligaments could be identified on CTA and MRA images using 3D fat-saturated PD and 3D DESS (dual echo with steady-state precession) sequences with 0.5-mm-thick slices. Imaging signs of scapholunate complex pathology include: discontinuity, nonvisualization, changes in signal intensity, contrast extravasation (MRA), contour irregularity and waviness and periligamentous infiltration by edema, granulation tissue or fibrosis. Based on this preliminary experience, we believe that 3 T MRA using 3D sequences with 0.5-mm-thick slices and multiplanar reconstructions is capable to evaluate the scapholunate complex and could help to reduce the number of diagnostic arthroscopies.

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Scapholunate interosseous ligament (SLIOL) tears, according to the studies of Mayfield, develop in a predictable pattern after a trauma in extension, ulnar deviation, or intercarpal supination. The volar part of the scapholunate ligament is involved first, then the whole SLIOL, then the extrinsic ligaments such as the radioscaphocapitate (RSC) ligament and the radiotriquetral (RT) ligament with a variable degree of ligament damage. 1They occur mainly in young patients of working age, who may develop wrist instability, which can eventually lead to degenerative arthritis and a scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC) wrist.2,3 Once arthritis has developed, the treatment of these lesions is not simple and generally requires salvage procedures with a significant loss of wrist function. Treatment of a chronic scapholunate ligament tear is still a challenge for the surgeon, even before wrist arthritis has developed, since it is not always possible to regain complete wrist strength, motion, and AbstractTreatment of scapho-lunate (SL) injuries is still a challenge for the surgeon, especially in chronic cases. The aim of the study isto experimentally cut, specific portions of scapholunate ligament and extrinsic ligaments and check their corresponding arthroscopic finding in order to understand the pathogenesis and develop a new classificationsystem which is an evolution of the present arthroscopic classifications. Materials and Methods Thirteen cadaver wrists were studied under arthroscopy. Different portions of the scapho-lunate ligament were subsequently sectioned. In group A the sectioning sequence was: anterior SLIOL, RSC, LRL, SLIOL's proximal and posterior, DIC, DRC ligament and ST ligaments (8 cases). In group B it was: SLIOL's posterior and proximal, DIC, SLIOL's anterior, LRL, RSCL, DRC, ST ligaments (5 cases). The anatomo-pathological findings after each sectioning were correlated to the classification system proposed (

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