MR imaging of tendon lesions of the hand and wrist.

MR imaging of the hand and wrist tendons has greatly benefited from the use of dedicated surface coils, which allow fine depiction of the intricate anatomy of these structures, owing to high spatial resolution images as well as superb soft tissue contrast. MR imaging of the wrist and hand is obtained in the axial, sagittal, and coronal planes. The axial and sagittal planes provide most of the information necessary, however, to assess the tendons at the wrist and hand. The axial images are optimal for evaluating tendon morphology, longitudinal splits, tendon sheath fluid, and adjacent soft tissues such as overlying retinacula. The sagittal images are most useful for depicting abnormalities of the finger flexor and extensor tendons.