title: Imaging of hamate bone fractures in conventional X-rays and high-resolution computed tomography. An in vitro study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the ability to image fractures of the body and hook of the hamate bone in conventional X-rays and high-resolution computed tomography (HR-CT).
  
  
  METHODS
  In an in vitro experiment using 18 cadaver hands, the hamate bone was fractured at different places. Before and after fracture, conventional X-rays were taken in different planes (anteroposterior, lateral, oblique, and carpal tunnel), and HR-CT was performed with 2-mm layer thickness in the axial, sagittal, and coronal plane.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Taking into account all the conventional X-ray projections applied, the in vivo experiment revealed a sensitivity of 72.2%, a specificity of 88.8%, and an accuracy of 80.5%. For the HR-CT, the sensitivity was 100%, the specificity was 94.4%, and the accuracy was 97.2%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fractures of the body and hook of the hamate cannot always be detected with certainty in the conventional X-ray image, even if different projectional planes are used. The HR-CT is the imaging procedure of choice for further clarification, and an axial or sagittal plane should be selected.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Behring Municipal Hospital, Free University of Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Andresen
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Radmer
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sparmann
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bogusch
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Banzer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002102:Cadaver; D002348:Carpal Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries*; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*