38-year-old female with a right ulnar wrist mass for 4 months. Evaluate for cyst versus solid mass. Incomplete examination secondary to the patient's inability to tolerate the examination as well as technical/mechanical issues. A dedicated wrist coil could not be utilized for this examination resulting in slightly suboptimal image quality.A marker was placed along the volar and ulnar aspect of the wrist denoting the site of the patient's mass. There is a lobulated mass of fluid signal intensity situated volar to the ulna and medial to the flexor tendons. The mass measures approximately 12 x 11 mm in the transverse dimension and just over 2 cm in the longitudinal dimension. Based on these nonenhanced images, this most likely represents a ganglion. Although the cyst does not directly communicate with the triangular fibrocartilage on this examination, there is a similar appearing but smaller cystic lesion, which appears to arise from the ulnar aspect of the disc and hence this ganglia and may represent an extension of mucoid material from the triangular fibrocartilage. There may be a tear within the more central/radial fibers of the triangular fibrocartilage, although this is difficult to ascertain due to patient motion artifact. We see no additional soft tissue masses. There is a small amount of fluid within the distal radioulnar joint. Although this study was not protocoled for detailed evaluation of the ligaments, there is mild heterogeneity of the scapholunate ligament which may represent partial thickness tearing. Mild osteoarthritis affects the basilar joint and trapezioscaphoid articulation with a small cyst within the trapezium that is likely degenerative in etiology. The tendons of the wrist appear normal. We see no findings to suggest nerve compression.
Incomplete study as described above showing a soft tissue mass volar to the ulna that likely represents a ganglion that we suspect arises from the articular disc of the triangular fibrocartilage. A malignant neoplasm is considered exceedingly unlikely given the morphology and homogeneity of this mass, however, the patient can return for a complete study following gadolinium administration if desired.