7 T MRI Matches 3 T for Diagnosing Wrist Ligament Injuries
MRI at 7 tesla (T) and 3 T field strengths showed similar accuracy in detecting triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) and scapholunate ligament (SLL) injuries, according to a new study. Although some injuries were missed, MRI identified additional pathologies not seen on arthroscopy, supporting its complementary role in diagnosis.
METHODOLOGY:
This prospective study (May 2020 to April 2024) included 24 patients with a suspected TFCC or SLL injury (median age, 34 years; 29.2% women) who underwent both 7 T and 3 T MRI examinations followed by arthroscopy.
Four musculoskeletal radiologists independently evaluated MRI examinations in a randomised order, comparing findings to wrist arthroscopy results.
Sensitivity, specificity, area under the curve (AUC), and other parameters were estimated for each MRI field strength.
TAKEAWAY:
For TFCC injuries, 7 T MRI had a sensitivity of 0.85, specificity of 0.68, and AUC of 0.82, whereas 3 T MRI had a sensitivity of 0.75, specificity of 0.73, and AUC of 0.77.
For SLL injuries, 7 T MRI had a sensitivity of 0.70, specificity of 0.65, and AUC of 0.74, whereas 3 T MRI had a sensitivity of 0.69, specificity of 0.55, and AUC of 0.70.
For both TFCC and SLL injuries, no statistically significant difference was found between 7 T and 3 T MRI compared with arthroscopy.
In 58% of patients, MRI identified additional pathologies including tendon injuries and ganglia, which were essential for a complete diagnosis.
IN PRACTICE:
"Neither MRI at 7 T nor 3 T can replace wrist arthroscopy, but MRI is an important complementary tool in the diagnostic workup of suspected wrist ligament injuries, with the ability to diagnose additional types of pathologies not accessible with arthroscopy," the authors wrote.
SOURCE:
This study was led by Simon Götestrand, Lund University, Lund, Sweden. It was published online on May 08, 2025, in European Radiology .
LIMITATIONS:
This study was limited by a likely selection bias as all patients were scheduled for arthroscopy, increasing the probability of injury. The small sample size also limited the statistical power.
DISCLOSURES:
Open access funding was provided by Lund University. The authors reported having no conflicts of interest.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Health Line
31 minutes ago
- Health Line
Gut Check: A Dietitian's Take on Creating a Space that Supports Your Gut Health
Key takeaways For a happy gut, try to stock your fridge and pantry with whole, natural foods that contain pre- and probiotics. Organize your space and designate areas for types of food prep to create a 'flow' that makes it easy to navigate. Nutrition expert Jared Meacham shares some tips about creating a gut-healthy kitchen. Hint: it doesn't have to involve tons of cooking. With the right tools, there are plenty of quick, easy options. Tummy. Stomach. Gut. Gastrointestinal (GI) tract. So many names, even more microorganisms — at least 100 trillion in fact. Most of these are important for your digestive health. Other, less helpful microorganisms can affect your GI tract in negative ways. Gut health, in short, refers to the diversity and balance of around 200 different species of bacteria, viruses, and fungi in your digestive tract. Most microorganisms in your gut are meant to help you digest food, stabilize your metabolism, lower gut inflammation, and more. If your gut has been acting a little funky lately, it's most likely trying to tell you something about what you've been eating. Listening to your body and prioritizing your gut health can help improve your overall health as well. Our expert | John Meacham Jared Meacham, PhD., RD, CSCS Dr. Jared Meacham is a registered dietitian, fitness professional, and educator. He manages the global fitness programming for an international development institution, teaches at the university level, and practices dietetics in a variety of settings. Throughout the article, he shares some tips for a gut-friendly place, from everything food and prep to tools and kitchen space Getting started | food & nutrition Before we get into it, let's refresh on two things that are essential to keeping your gut health in check: probiotics and prebiotics. If fiber and whole, natural foods are not a staple for your diet, try and focus your attention on eating foods that contain more prebiotics. If you're eating whole foods like vegetables and high fiber foods but know you're not getting enough probiotics (fermented foods), try and make that your focus to rebuild your microbiome. Staples for gut health Healthy eating ideally consists of having at least half your plate filled with vegetables and fruits. 'Prioritize accessibility to staple foods that make up 80% of your healthy diet,' Dr. Meacham suggests. Let's break it down further. *Note that these are not exhaustive lists. Adjust as you need to, and avoid anything that makes your gut feel worse. Frozen fruits, veggies, and bread These can be huge time savers, suitable to use in a variety of dishes Ultimately it's the prebiotics that are going to feed and nourish the probiotics that need to be maintained in order to optimize immunity, digestion, and absorption. Creating your healthy kitchen: How to get started Think of your kitchen like a huge bag that has your all-day essentials inside. Over time you gather receipts, change, chapstick, and other items you might need. Sometimes you throw these things in, other times you try and place them mindfully. But then, at the end of the day, you need your keys. And you look down and see everything you've accumulated except for those shiny, metal prongs. Dr. Meacham shares that 'creating a clutter-free kitchen helps you maintain a mentality of healthfulness…[A cluttered kitchen] can overwhelm the senses and cause us to be less mindful of our relationship with the foods we are preparing.' When you're trying to commit to eating healthier, having a clutter-free environment may make things easier. Create your 'flow state' After identifying what you need to get your gut back on track food-wise, consider your kitchen space and where you'd like to see everything. Consider the 'flow of work' you'll need to follow to get from point A (i.e., the fridge) to point Z (i.e., the oven). 'By designating spaces for various foods and equipment, your movement through your kitchen becomes efficient and logical,' says Dr. Meacham. 'This minimizes rushing around and trying to locate essential tools by ensuring all of your kitchen equipment is mindfully stored.' Storage and placements Before placing your items, get a feel for how you'll be moving around the kitchen, whether that's blending a smoothie or making a sandwich. Keeping foods that aren't part of your healthy eating plan out of sight may help limit cravings. 'Create a store,' Dr. Meacham suggests. In a scenario where you're starting to make your meal, think of it as grocery shopping to get your ingredients together. Try and prep your food near to where you'll finish cooking. If space is limited, you might consider a rolling table or island as your prep station or finishing section. You can hold foods here, prepare them, and then move them to wherever they need to go. In terms of storing foods, Dr. Meacham shares what goes best in the pantry, fridge, and freezer below: Pantry items Keep the pantry dry, cool, and dark. seasonings and spices teas, coffee, etc. whole grains canned and preserved (jarred) foods bananas (best at room temperature) Fridge items Maintain a temperature of 41°F. Temps are cooler in the back, warmer in the front. vegetables fruits like citrus, berries, and apples dairy products fermented foods proteins By having designated spaces for all of the items in your kitchen, you [help] create a healthy and sanitary process of food preparation that is enjoyable and stress-free. Freezer items Anything you want to eat at a later date or time. breads or grain products proteins or meat products frozen produce homemade foods to eat later Other tips If the pantry isn't cool, store these products in the fridge. oils nuts & seeds nut butters Action plan: One step at a time Getting everything together is one thing, but implementing new steps and habits is another. If there's one tip to remember, it's to take things one step at a time and be kind to yourself. Bumps in the road are common and almost expected. It's OK to give yourself leeway, and the key is to keep your intention in mind when setting these goals for yourself. Dr. Meacham recommends that 'anytime you make a food choice that doesn't align with your healthy plan, restart your healthy eating approach immediately. Avoid allowing one unplanned 'mishap' to derail your healthy eating progress.' Avoid the 'starting on Monday' mentality. Instead, start now. There are an endless number of Mondays in front of us. If we rely on this mentality, we do more starting over than moving forward. If you're into meal prepping or it's something you're trying, another goal could be to prepare lean proteins in bulk. 'This will usually be something like cooking a number of chicken breasts, a couple steaks, pork chops, or [another form of protein],' Dr. Meacham says. 'By preparing quality, lean proteins, you minimize kitchen time and increase the likelihood of sticking to your healthy dietary approach.' Takeaways Gut health is important not only for digestion, but for your overall being. It may help to try to create an uncluttered kitchen space that makes it easier to prep food, cook a meal every once in a while, or make a quick healthy snack. If you're new to this approach, remember that it takes time to learn and adapt to new processes and habits. As long as you're consistent, intentional, and true to your needs, you can take steps to support your gut health and create a gut-friendly kitchen. Frequently asked questions about creating a healthy kitchen for gut health How do I know I have gut issues? Some signs of unbalanced gut bacteria can include an upset stomach, unintentional weight changes, and fatigue. Some signs of unbalanced gut bacteria can include an upset stomach, unintentional weight changes, and fatigue. What is the fastest way to improve gut health? While there is no quick fix to improving gut health, maintaining a diet that is rich in fiber, whole foods like vegetables and fruit, and probiotic-containing foods like yogurt can help. If you need some help figuring out how to balance your diet, talk with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian to find a plan that best suits your needs. While there is no quick fix to improving gut health, maintaining a diet that is rich in fiber, whole foods like vegetables and fruit, and probiotic-containing foods like yogurt can help. If you need some help figuring out how to balance your diet, talk with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian to find a plan that best suits your needs. What role does the gut microbiome play in overall health? The gut microbiome produces vitamins, essential amino acids, and fatty acid byproducts that serve as an energy source for intestinal cells. Research has linked gut health to various bodily systems, including the immune system, metabolic processes, and chronic conditions. The gut microbiome produces vitamins, essential amino acids, and fatty acid byproducts that serve as an energy source for intestinal cells. Research has linked gut health to various bodily systems, including the immune system, metabolic processes, and chronic conditions. Are there specific dietary recommendations for gut health during pregnancy? During pregnancy, it's important to focus on gut health while meeting increased nutritional needs. Specific dietary recommendations include consuming fatty fish (while avoiding certain types), ensuring intake of essential nutrients like folic acid, iron, and calcium, and considering probiotic-rich foods to support the gut microbiome.
Washington Post
41 minutes ago
- Washington Post
The U.S. bought $12 million in aid for poor nations. Under Trump, it may be destroyed.
More than $12 million worth of contraceptives and HIV-prevention medications purchased by the U.S. government as aid for developing countries under programs that have since been discontinued will probably be destroyed unless officials sell or otherwise off-load them, an examination by The Washington Post found. Government records obtained by The Post reveal that virtually all of the supplies have been sitting in distribution centers — one in Belgium and one in the United Arab Emirates — since January, when President Donald Trump halted spending by the U.S. Agency for International Development, saying it was 'not aligned with American interests.' Much of the material is already closer to expiration than many countries would typically accept.
Forbes
43 minutes ago
- Forbes
U.S. Seniors Nearly Double Cannabis Use In Just Two Years, Study Finds
U.S. Seniors are turning to cannabis more than ever, with use nearly doubling in the past two years, a new study shows. Published this week in JAMA Internal Medicine, four researchers from the University of California and NYU Langone Health found that monthly cannabis use among adults aged 65 and older increased from 4.8% in 2021 to 7% in 2023, resulting in a 45.83% increase. The reasons for this increase are attributed to several factors, including greater access to cannabis. As of today, medical cannabis is legal in 39 states and Washington D.C., while 24 states have also legalized it for recreational use. The situation was slightly different in 2021, when medical cannabis was legal in 36 states and recreational use was legal in 17 states. In 2021, New York, Virginia, New Mexico, and Connecticut legalized cannabis for recreational use. The rise in access to cannabis, both medical and recreational, helps explain why more older adults are using it, especially as more people become aware of medical programs and the health issues cannabis can help treat. This cross-sectional study analyzed 15,689 adults aged 65 and older using data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), a nationwide survey of people in the U.S. who aren't living in institutions. The findings show that, between 2021 and 2023, cannabis use among older adults in the U.S. saw a significant rise, with some groups showing especially sharp increases. People with a college or postgraduate degree, for example, went from 4.9% to 8.3% in cannabis use. Among those earning $75,000 or more, cannabis use more than doubled, from 4.2% to 9.1%. Married adults also showed a big jump, going from 3.8% to 7.4%. Older adults living in states where medical cannabis is legal were more likely to use it, and that number kept climbing from 5.4% to 7.9%. 'It shouldn't be surprising that use is becoming increasingly more common among people who live in states that allow medical cannabis, which could be due to increased availability or social acceptability,' said Joseph Palamar, the study's senior author in a press statement, adding that 'with respect to income, those with the highest incomes had the lowest prevalence of cannabis use in 2021, but by 2023 this group had the highest prevalence, which may indicate who has access to medical cannabis given its costs.' The most dramatic increase came from people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), whose usage doubled from 6.4% to 13.5%. People with chronic conditions like cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure also reported using cannabis more. And those dealing with two or more chronic illnesses saw use rise from 3.5% to 8.2%. The authors of this study concluded that these findings show a real shift in how older adults are using cannabis, especially those living with chronic illnesses, and that people with multiple health conditions were more likely to use it. However, they also highlighted that 'the use of cannabis products, especially with psychoactive properties, may complicate chronic disease management among older adults.' These new findings line up with what earlier studies have shown. Back in 2020, a study published in the same journal looked at data from nearly 15,000 adults over 65 using the same national survey and found that cannabis use among older adults had already been on the rise for years, jumping from just 0.4% in 2006 and 2007 to 2.9% by 2015 and 2016. In recent years, researchers have also started to study how long-term cannabis use affects older adults. For example, a study published last year suggested that taking low doses of THC over time may not only help protect the brain from aging but also boost memory, improve cognitive function, and support seniors's overall well-being and longevity. This likely has to do with a key cellular pathway called mTOR, which is a protein that helps control how cells use energy and build new connections in the brain, which are important for learning and memory.
