 | Suspected scaphoid fracture, or other carpal injury. MRI is much more
sensitive and specific than both plain film and scintigraphy at detecting otherwise occult
fractures |
| Assessment of carpal tunnel syndrome. The median nerve is particularly
well depicted by dedicated extremity MRI coils. |
| Assessment of carpal instability. Suspected disruption of intracarpal ligaments
especially scapholunate
and lunotriquetral ligaments. |
| Suspected injury to triangular fibrocartilage complex. |
| Assessment of the arthritides. MRI is sensitive to early bone erosions, cartilage
thinning and joint effusions. |
| Assessment of flexor and extensor tendons. Depiction of tenosynovitis. |
| Assessment of miscellaneous swellings, e.g. diagnosis of ganglion cysts and giant cell tumours
and depiction of degree of bony, joint, tendon or nerve involvement. |
| Assessment of Guyon's canal (ulnar nerve tunnel). |
| Detection and staging of suspected avascular necrosis, usually of the lunate, i.e.
Kienböck's disease. |
