Scaphoid Fracture: Diagnostic Tests

Obligatory medical device diagnostics.

• Conventional radiographs of the hand/wrist in 2 planes or 3 standard projections (posterior-anterior (p.-a., dorsopalmar), lateral, and stabbing/dorsopalmar views during fist closure and ulnar reduction) – if fracture is clinically suspected.
• If necessary, target images of the Os scaphoideum in a special technique (scaphoid quartet/scaphoid in 4 planes).

Optional medical device diagnostics – depending on the results of the history, physical examination, laboratory diagnostics and obligatory medical device diagnostics – for differential diagnostic clarification.

• Computed tomography (CT) – cross-sectional imaging procedure (radiographs taken from different directions with computer-based evaluation), particularly well suited for imaging bony injuries; indications:
  • In case of clinical suspicion of fracture and lack of fracture detection in projection radiography.
  • In case of already detected fracture (in projection radiography) for staging and therapy planning.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – computer-assisted cross-sectional imaging method (using magnetic fields, that is, without X-rays); particularly well suited for imaging soft tissue injuries; indication:
  • In cases of clinical suspicion of fracture and lack of evidence of fracture in projection radiography and CT (exclusion of an occult fracture/bone fracture that is not visible or not directly detectable in normal radiography).

  [highest sensitivity of all diagnostic procedures.]