title: What value the scaphoid compression test?
abstract: It has been suggested that a positive scaphoid compression test will reliably confirm the presence of a fractured scaphoid in those patients presenting with an injury clinically suggestive of this, but without a fracture visible on initial X-rays. A prospective study was carried out in 99 patients presenting with an injury clinically suggestive of a scaphoid fracture. 74 patients had positive scaphoid compression tests with 24 of these patients having a scaphoid fracture visible on initial X-ray and seven having a fracture diagnosed either by repeat X-ray or bone scan 2 weeks after injury. 25 patients had a negative test, with ten having a scaphoid fracture visible on initial X-ray and three on repeat X-ray at 2 weeks. These results show that this test had a sensitivity of 70.5%, a specificity of 21.8% and predictive value of 41.9%. A positive scaphoid compression test is an unreliable diagnostic aid for a scaphoid fracture.
authors.affiliation: Accident and Emergency Department, County Hospital, Lincoln, UK.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Esberger
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002348:Carpal Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005596:Fractures, Closed / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity