Scaphoid fracture: evaluation with flexion-extension tomography.

Abstract

Assessment of healing of a scaphoid fracture, which may be associated with delayed fusion and nonunion, is a challenging task for the radiologist. Thirty cases of clinically suspected nonunion scaphoid waist fractures with inconclusive plain radiographs were prospectively studied by means of stationary tomography and lateral flexion-extension tomography. The angle between the two scaphoid fragments as seen in extension was measured and compared with the angle as seen in flexion. A difference of 10 degrees or greater between flexion and extension was considered significant. This was noted in 14 of 15 cases of nonunion. Fifteen cases without angle differences were accurately diagnosed as stable. One false-negative case was noted, which on review was attributed to a limited extension view. Flexion-extension tomography is a highly valuable diagnostic modality in evaluating the stability and healing of scaphoid fracture and is superior to conventional (stationary) tomography.