title: Anatomic features of the carpal scaphoid: validation of biometric measurements and symmetry with three-dimensional MR imaging.
abstract: The goals of reconstructive surgery for scaphoid fracture nonunions include restoration of normal scaphoid length and shape by use of the contralateral scaphoid bone as a geometric model. A literature search revealed limited documentation of normal biometric measurements and no validation of scaphoid anatomic symmetry. A study was performed to provide normative data and evaluate the right-to-left symmetry of specific geometric measurements of the scaphoid. One hundred normal carpal scaphoid bones in 30 healthy subjects and 40 patients were examined with three-dimensional magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Standardized oblique projections were reconstructed from each three-dimensional data set, and seven biometric measurements of each scaphoid were obtained. Normative data from the study group were obtained by means of analysis of all 100 scaphoids. Right-to-left symmetry was validated with the biometric measurements of both scaphoids in the healthy subjects. These data validate scaphoid symmetry and provide 95% confidence intervals for specific biometric measurements that are used for preoperative planning of surgical reconstruction of scaphoid nonunions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Wilford Hall U.S. Air Force Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, TX 78236.
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D002348:Carpal Bones / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values