ABSTRACT
Use of a jig to control forearm rotation and wrist position for MR and CT imaging of patients with distal radioulnar joint and wrist dysfunctiong.
Aim: To design and assess efficacy of a jig to enhance MR and CT imaging of the distal forearm. Materials and Methods: A forearm-support jig was developed for clinical use in imaging the forearm, DRUJ, TFCC and wrist joint. The jig was constructed in MRl- safe materials and incorporated a goniometer allowing control of forearm rotation and a support for wrist position. The jig was used as an adjunct to a clinical research project on the DRUJ both in patients and volunteers. For the purpose of assessment of the utility of the jig record was made of patient comfort and acceptability, end- image quality output, reproducibility of scans repeated intra- and inter-subject, and ease of use by the radiographers. Results: Twenty-three volunteers found the jig to be comfortable during the scanning procedure. Nine patients who had also undertaken standard MRl scans without the jig unanimously reported improved comfort and satisfaction levels with the jig. Radiographers found the device easy to use obviating the need to repeat scans due to patient movement or incorrect wrist positioning. lmages obtained readily permitted intra- and inter-patient comparison. lmage quality was improved with less subject tremor. Conclusion: A jig has been developed that allows standardization of position of forearm rotation. This has proved a useful adjunct for MR and CT imaging of the forearm and DRUJ where the position of forearm rotation needs to be controlled for the purpose of the study or investigation.Keywords: The rule of choice of equations for Ki and Ka constants calculation
Introduction
The distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ), triangular fibrocartilaginous
complex (TFCC) and the forearm are frequently imaged by MR
and CT for associated disease processes. The standard ‘superman’
position is often uncomfortable for patients generating movement
artefact. Scans are restricted to the prone position of forearm
rotation placing potential limitation on the information that might
be gained from viewing the same structures in different positions of
forearm rotation. For example, a tear of the volar distal radioulnar ligament is easily identified in supination with dorsal subluxation
of the distal radius on the ulnar head. However, the diagnosis can
be easy to miss with the forearm pronated, where the subluxation
is less evident.
Patient discomfort particularly in MRl scanning is significant
even with modern generation scanners. Patients must remain as
still as they can whilst maintaining the body prone position with
extended shoulder and elbow and forearm pronated. Upper limb
support is improvised padding if present.
Gross movement blurs images and fine tremor artefact
occurs with the strain of trying to maintain perfectly still. This is
particularly pertinent with the current use of high-Tesla scanners.
Whilst such scanners offer higher definition imaging unwanted
effects from tremor and movement are more troublesome. ln
specific research studies, lack of standardization of forearm
positioning creates systematic error with respect to intra- and
inter-patient comparisons. Even comparison between serial scans
in the same individual can be challenging without ensuring an
identical posture is maintained. This study reports the development
and trialing of a forearm jig used in a research study on soft tissues
of the distal forearm, reported elsewhere [1]. A scanning platform
was developed for this purpose, with the aim of allowing both clear
visualization of key soft tissue structures about the wrist using a
3-Tesla MRl machine, as well as permitting both intra- and interpatient
comparability of scans.
Methods
A scanning-platform jig was designed solely from radio-opaque materials, suitable for use with both CT and MRl scanners (Figure 1). Two padded straps fasten either side of the biceps, removing the effect of shoulder movements. A third strap holds the wrist to a padded hand platform. ln this manner, all rotatory movements are isolated to the radius and ulna. The antecubital fossa faces superiorly. The fingers and thumb rest on a palmar support of adjustable height to provide approximately 20 degrees dorsiflexion and 15 degrees ulna deviation throughout the scanning process. The wrist posture can be adjusted as needed. The jig is adaptable to different habitus and patient position. The platform of the jig permits rotation and incorporates a goniometer together with a long handle for rotation that can be adjusted mid-scan by the radiologist without needing to remove the patient from the scanner. Registration markers are incorporated into the scanning platform to orientate the radiologist. Standard MR wrist coils can be placed adjacent to wrist and forearm and function normally. The construct is simple to clean.
The use of disposable ‘arm gloves’ where needed reduces risk of cross-contamination. Patients and volunteers were recruited for a research study imaging soft tissue structures in the distal forearm. The forearm jig was used to undertake a sequence of scans on one upper limb at a time on a 3-Tesla MRl scanner. Patients were symptomatic of DRUJ dysfunction, whilst volunteers were required to have no history of prior upper limb trauma and a normal clinical examination. An assessment of the subject’s range of pronosupination was made to inform the limits of rotation. Each arm was scanned in 5 positions of pronosupination (maximal supination – SMax; 30 degrees supination – S30; neutral; 30 degrees pronation – P30; maximal pronation - PMax) using a prototype of the scanning-platform-jig as illustrated (Figure 2). lnformed consent was obtained from all recruited individuals: Ethical permission was granted by the UK National Research Ethics Committee [Reference number 07/Q1406/7].
Following the scans all subjects were asked if they experienced any discomfort during the scan related to the jig. Patients who had prior experience of conventional wrist MR scan were asked how it compared to their previous experience. Operators were asked to comment on how difficult they found the jig to use and what their thoughts were of the impact upon the scanning process. Opensource image processing and DlCOM workstation software, OsiriX® v3.1 32- bit (OsiriX Foundation, Geneva, Switzerland) was used to compare corresponding image series of left and right wrists: lmages were co-registered by identifying the ulna fovea and then sequences synchronized for scrolling purposes. Those of the left wrist were then flipped 180° horizontally to allow direct side-byside comparison between left and right. The first author analyzed the scans together with a consultant radiologist: lntra- subject comparability was assessed by establishing the orientation of the bony structures about the DRUJ and then determining if both left and right wrists were in the same position of pronosupination; lnter-subject comparability was assessed for in a blinded manner by looking at individual scan slices including the ulna fovea or ulna styloid, and recording whether it was believed that the scans were taken in SMax, S30, neutral, P30 or PMax. Further assessment was made to verify if the images for each position of pronosupination were comparable across all of the wrists scanned.
The results were collated and comments noted.
Results
Thirty-three subjects were recruited for the scans: 9 patients
(mean age 41 years; range 27–55) and 24 volunteers (mean age
34 years; range 19-57). One-person experienced claustrophobia
and the scan was aborted. With the exception of a patient who had
metalwork in one wrist, both wrists were scanned in 5 positions
for each individual, giving a total of 10 scan series per patient, and
an overall dataset of 315 scan series. Due to a variety of image
sequences being used, the time taken to scan each wrist was about
50 minutes. A single series contained 40 images at 1mm intervals
through the DRUJ and took approximately 13 minutes to obtain
using our 3Tesla machine. All scans were performed in body
prone arm extended position. All 32 subjects reported the jig as
comfortable. All 9 patients who had undertaken previous wrist MR
scans said that they preferred the scans using the jig than without
because it felt more comfortable. ln particular, a constant factor was
that patients stated that they could better relax because their arm
was strapped-in and so they didn’t need to worry about it moving
or actively try to keep it completely still.
Seven people were so relaxed they fell asleep. Four of the first
10 subjects scanned reported slight discomfort using the jig for so
long: this was overcome by adjustment of the padding provided.
Staff found the jig simple to use. lt was reported as ‘easy’ to strap
the patient/volunteer into the jig and to arrange their upper limb
into the exact position required. Application of wrist coils whilst
the hand was strapped onto the jig was straightforward. Mid-scan,
wrist position was easily adjusted by the radiographer without
needing to remove the patient from the scanner tube. This reduced
scan time by removing the need for further registration/ location
scans. No scans needed to be repeated due to patient movement.
Overall, radiographers stated that there was a faster, more
predictable speed of throughput of patients and volunteers whilst
using the jig than they had previously experienced in upper limb scans without using any such device. For image analysis, positions
of forearm rotation matched for both intra- (31/31) and inter-
(63//63) subject comparisons in 100% of wrists for S30, neutral
and P30.
The only instances whereby left and right wrists did not closely
match for intra-subject variability were for those individuals whose
SMax and PMax values were different. This occurred in our patient
cohort where symptomatic wrists demonstrated some reduction
of range of rotation. Nonetheless, it was still correctly reported
(31/31) by the interpreter that of the choices given, these scans were
done at the extremes of the individual’s range of rotation. For intersubject
variability with SMax and PMax, due to natural variation in
the permissible range of pronosupination in the normal population,
there were expected differences in degree of rotation observed.
However, the only instances where scans were questioned as to
whether or not of the 5 given positions they were at the extreme of
rotation, were in 2 patients who each had a dramatically reduced
SMax (42 & 44 degrees): therefore only 61/63 scans were correctly
identified as being in SMax. Despite the lengthy scan time, only
slight patient tremor occurred. None of the 315 scan series needed
repeat scanning on account of movement artefact.
Discussion
Forearm pronosupination and wrist position affect
the relationships of the key Osseo ligamentous structures.
Standardization and control of forearm position should help imaging
and enhance diagnosis of pathology related to the ligamentous
structures and also assist intra- and inter-patient comparison. lt
is perhaps surprising that MR and CT imaging protocols have not
routinely included means of standardizing forearm rotation and
wrist position. Certain conditions such as tears of the volar part of
the TFCC complex will be better visualized in forearm supinated
position and are potentially under-diagnosed with the forearm
routinely placed in pronation. Conventional limb positioning has
been described [2] including the pronated position for upper limb
radiographs [3-5]. The optimal imaging and sequencing techniques
for investigating structures such as the DRUJ and TFCC are still a
matter of debate with various opinions expressed [6-9]. Developing
a means by which to allow intra- and inter-individual comparability
between MR scans was not without limitation.
There was no pre-existing system for comparison to build upon
therefore a logical method was developed to do this by inferring the
position of pronosupination in reference to key constant landmarks,
notably the orientation of the ulna styloid and ulna fovea. The
jig minimized patient movement artefact but did not completely
eliminate fine tremor impacting final image quality. Nonetheless, it
is important to improve patient comfort and select forearm position
during these scans as the gains from higher resolution machines
will not be realized if patient position and movement cannot be
controlled.
Conclusion
A forearm and wrist platform-support jig has been developed and the utility of the jig has been demonstrated in a study looking at the effect of forearm rotation on soft tissues. Use of the jig produced high quality images over relatively long scan times minimizing movement artefact. Control of forearm position may be important in imaging for disorders of forearm rotation. The authors have found the jig to be of particular use in the research setting but believe there are clinical applications in the assessment of ulnarsided wrist pain.
Conflict of Interest Statement
The device as described in the current paper is registered for further development and distribution through UMlP at the University of Manchester. Any future royalties from successful distribution of this jig would be allocated to research funds.
Funding
This research was supported by funding from the Stanley Thomas Johnson Foundation, University of Manchester MRC lnterdisciplinary Bridging Award administered through the Manchester centre for the lntegration of Medicine and lnnovative Technology (MlMlT), the Transitional lmaging Unit (TlU), Salford Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, UK and UMlP, the University of Manchester’s Department of lntellectual Property, UK.
Acknowledgement
• Mr R Williams, former Clinical Engineer, University Hospital
South Manchester, UK
• Mr R Hanmer and Mr D Harrison, Department of Medical
Engineering, Salford Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, UK
• Professor P Williams, Research & Development Lead, Christie
Hospital.
• TlU departmental team, Transitional lmaging Unit, Salford
Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, UK
• UMlP, University of Manchester lntellectual Property team,
University of Manchester, UK.
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