The Role of Radiology in Diagnosis and Management of Scaphoid Fracture

Journal Title: International Archives of Integrated Medicine - Year 2017, Vol 4, Issue 6

Abstract

Background: This study focused on introducing MRI into the diagnostic pathway for suspected scaphoid fracture management. In discussion with our musculoskeletal radiologists, we implemented new guidelines to standardize management of our patients with scaphoid fracture and now report our findings. Materials and methods: A consecutive series of 104 patients referred to the orthopedic department with clinically suspected scaphoid fracture but normal series of plain radiographs were prospectively followed up over a three-year period. We implemented the use of early MRI for these patients and determined its incidence of detected scaphoid injury in addition to other occult injuries. We then prospectively examined results of these findings on patient management. Results: 25 (24%) MRI examinations were normal with no evidence of a bony or soft-tissue injury. Soft-tissue injury was diagnosed in 45 patients (43.3%). Of those, 32 (30.8%) were triangular fibro cartilage complex (TFCC) tears and 13 (12.5%) were intercarpal ligament injuries. Bone marrow oedema with no distinct fracture was discovered in 35 (33.6%) cases. In 12 (11.5%) cases, this involved only the scaphoid. In the remainder, it also involved the other carpal bones or distal radius. Fracture(s) were diagnosed on 27 examinations (25.9%). Conclusion: MRI should be regarded as the gold standard investigation for patients in whom a scaphoid fracture is suspected clinically. It allows the diagnosis of occult bony and soft-tissue injuries that can present clinically as a scaphoid fracture; it also helps exclude patients with no fracture. We believe that there is a need to implement national guidelines for managing occult scaphoid fractures.

Authors and Affiliations

Chinta Vittal Prasad, Nagababu Pyadala

Keywords

Related Articles

Role of Radiology in Evaluation of Non-Traumatic Acute Abdomen

Acute abdominal pain may be caused by a myriad of diagnoses, including acute appendicitis, diverticulitis, and cholecystitis. Imaging plays an important role in the treatment management of patients because clinical evalu...

Clinical profile of cerebrovascular accident patients with special reference to serum homocysteine level

Background: Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. There is growing evidence that high homocysteine level contribute to the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke. High hohmoc...

Clinical profile of pregnancy related acute renal failure: An experience at a tertiary level hospital in Mumbai

Background: Pregnancy-related acute renal failure (ARF) can be caused by any of the disorders leading to ARF in the general population. We aimed to study the clinical profile of pregnancy related acute renal failure, man...

A study of lipid profile and ECG changes in chronic kidney disease patients

Introduction: Hyperlipidemia, one of the important risk factor of atherosclerosis, is an abnormality commonly encountered in patients with chronic kidney disease. There are several other important risk factors, such as s...

Evaluation of left ventricular diastolic function in hypertensives

Background: Recently much of attention is focused on the diastolic function of the heart. Since the systolic performance of the heart in hypertensive patients has been examined so far, but the study of the diastolic func...

Download PDF file
  • EP ID EP408736
  • DOI -
  • Views 109
  • Downloads 0

How To Cite

Chinta Vittal Prasad, Nagababu Pyadala (2017). The Role of Radiology in Diagnosis and Management of Scaphoid Fracture. International Archives of Integrated Medicine, 4(6), 175-180. https://europub.co.uk/articles/-A-408736