Ultrasound of Intersection Syndrome

12/06/2025 7 min

Listen "Ultrasound of Intersection Syndrome"

Episode Synopsis

In this radiology lecture, we review the ultrasound appearanceof intersection syndrome, a friction tenosynovitis at the forearm and wrist!Key teaching points include:Intersection syndrome is an overuse tenosynovitis(inflammation of tendon and tendon sheath) secondary to repetitive friction at site of intersectionProximal intersection syndrome: Occurs at musculotendinous junctions of first extensor wrist compartment (extensor pollicis brevis, abductor pollicis longus) crossing tendons of second compartment (extensor carpi radialis brevis, extensor carpi radialis longus). Intersection occurs 4-8 cm proximal to Lister’s tubercle Results from repetitive extension/flexion activities: Rowing, skiing, racket sports, horseback riding, weight-liftingClinical presentation: Radial forearm or wrist pain, worsens with extension/flexionUltrasound findings: Pain with transducer pressure at intersection site, peritendinous edema and fluidDistal intersection syndrome: Less common, occurs at third compartment tendon (extensor pollicis longus) crossing second compartment tendons distal to Lister’s tubercleTx: Rest, activity modification, splinting, anti-inflammatory medications. Corticosteroid injection or surgical release may be required if refractoryTo learn more about the Samsung RS85 Prestige ultrasound system, please visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bostonimaging.com/rs85-prestige-ultrasound-system-4⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube posts tab⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or follow on social media for bonus teaching material posted throughout the week!Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://radquarters.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/radquarters/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/radquarters/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X (Twitter): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/radquarters⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reddit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.reddit.com/user/radiologistHQ/⁠⁠⁠This video is for informational purposes only. It does not replace the advice or counsel of a doctor or health care professional.