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MRI findings in bucket-handle tears of the triangular fibrocartilage complex

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Abstract

The triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) is an intricate ligamentous and cartilaginous structure that helps transmit axial load across the wrist, and provide stability to the ulnocarpal and distal radioulnar joints (DRUJ). Because the blood supply to the TFCC varies depending on location, certain types of tears are more amenable to surgical repair than others. Since Palmer proposed his classification system of TFCC tears in 1989, only 1 case of a “bucket-handle” type tear has been reported. In this article, we describe two new cases of bucket-handle tears of the TFCC. In both cases, the torn fragment was displaced into a previously undescribed location (intra-articular DRUJ and prestyloid recess). Because this type of injury pattern has not been previously well characterized in the literature and such cases rarely reported, MRI findings have not been fully described and its implications on clinical management have largely yet to be determined.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Jackson Memorial Hospital, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA

    Jean Jose

  2. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Uhealth Sports Medicine Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA

    Jean Jose

  3. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Jackson Memorial Hospital, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA

    Azael Arizpe & David Chen

  4. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA

    Carlos M. Barrera & Nisreen Shabbir Ezuddin

Authors
  1. Jean Jose
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  2. Azael Arizpe
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  3. Carlos M. Barrera
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  4. Nisreen Shabbir Ezuddin
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  5. David Chen
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Correspondence to Jean Jose.

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Jose, J., Arizpe, A., Barrera, C.M. et al. MRI findings in bucket-handle tears of the triangular fibrocartilage complex. Skeletal Radiol 47, 419–424 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-017-2796-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-017-2796-1

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