Purpose: To assess the visibility and the features of ECUATS on
3.0-T MRI studies, and evaluate their correlation with tendinosis.
Methods and materials: Our retrospective study was approved
by IRB, with waiver of informed consent. Fifty wrist MRI and 48 MR
arthrographies from 98 patients (55 males, 43 females, mean age 42.3
years) performed between January and November 2009 on 3.0-T units
were reviewed. Images (transverse T1, T2, FS Gd T1 and VIBE) were
independently analyzed by two radiologists, and a consensus reached
with a third reader in case of disagreement. The visibility of ECUATS
was assessed on each available transverse sequence. When present,
ECUATS' origins, diameters and insertions were noted. ECU tendinosis
was also evaluated. Inter-rater agreement was assessed using Cohen's
Kappa coefficient.
Results: ECUATS observed prevalence was 23.5% (23/98). ECUATS
were more frequently noted on the VIBE sequence, with a good
inter-rater agreement (Kappa = 0.72). Origins were noted in 95.7% of
cases: 3 were at the level of, and 20 distal to ECU subsheath. Insertions
were seen in 43.5%: 2 were on 5th metacarpal bone, 8 on extensor
apparatus of 5th finger. ECUATS mean shortest and longest diameters
were 0.54 and 0.85 mm respectively. ECU tendinosis was statistically
more frequently noted in patients with ECUATS (p <0.05).
Conclusion: ECUATS are readily visible on 3.0-T MRI studies,
especially on transverse GRE VIBE images. ECU tendinosis is more
frequently noted in patients bearing ECUATS