title: 99Tcm-MDP bone scanning of injuries of the carpal scaphoid.
abstract: Clinical injuries of the carpal scaphoid are frequently seen at accident and emergency departments. Some exhibit delayed radiographic visualization of a fracture. The radioisotope bone scan is a sensitive test and increased uptake is observed in healing fractures. Twenty-three patients with an initial diagnosis of clinical fractures of the scaphoid were studied clinically, radiologically and independently by 99Tcm-MDP isotope scans. Three-quarters of the patients required only 1 month's management. Their corresponding bone scans were normal or not suggestive of a fracture. The remaining 25 per cent, who clinically required a more prolonged treatment (greater than or equal to 5 weeks' immobilization), were noted independently to have positive scans whether a fracture was observed or not. It is concluded that there is a stronger correlation between clinical examination and a bone scan than with a standard radiographic examination. It is proposed that patients still tender at 3 weeks should have a carpal isotope bone scan to identify if there is an important wrist injury and appropriate treatment commenced.
authors.affiliation: Fracture Clinic, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lowry
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Laird
authors.forename: W R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Ferguson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002348:Carpal Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D011897:Random Allocation; D013669:Technetium Tc 99m Medronate
chemical_list: D013669:Technetium Tc 99m Medronate