title: Occult scaphoid fracture: a diagnostic enigma.
abstract: In a prospective study, 38 patients with so-called "wrist sprains" and a clinical nonradiological diagnosis of scaphoid fracture were immobilized in a plaster cast for 2 weeks. At 2 weeks, six patients were found to have a complete fracture of the scaphoid through the waist. In view of this high incidence (15.8%) of occult scaphoid fracture, it is once again suggested that all cases of wrist sprains where scaphoid fracture is suspected be immobilized for a 2-week period.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Government Medical College/Rajendra Hospital, Patiala, India.
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Mittal
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Dargan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002348:Carpal Bones / Q000293:injuries*; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D013180:Sprains and Strains / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy