Abstract
This prospective case series compared the accuracy of ultrasound (US) to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in differentiating complete displaced (CD) thumb ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) tears from nondisplaced injuries in 10 patients with suspected traumatic thumb UCL injuries. Ultrasound identified 100% (2 of 2) of MRI-documented CD tears, both of which were further confirmed during surgical repair. Ultrasound identified the absence of CD tears in the remaining 8 patients. Although MRI is the reference standard imaging modality for characterizing thumb UCL injuries, ultrasound should be considered an accurate, cost-effective, and alternative imaging modality to differentiate surgical versus nonsurgical thumb UCL injuries.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1251-1257 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine |
Volume | 40 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 2021 |
Keywords
- Stener lesion
- ligament rupture
- musculoskeletal imaging
- thumb injury
- ulnar collateral ligament
- ultrasound
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Radiological and Ultrasound Technology
- Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging