TY - JOUR T1 - Role of MRI in the diagnosis of clinically suspected scaphoid fracture: analysis of 611 consecutive cases and literature review JF - Emergency Medicine Journal JO - Emerg Med J SP - 266 LP - 269 DO - 10.1136/emj.2008.058750 VL - 27 IS - 4 AU - Mohamed Khalid AU - Ziadanesh R Jummani AU - Kaliannan Kanagaraj AU - Amir Hussain AU - David Robinson AU - Russell Walker Y1 - 2010/04/01 UR - http://emj.bmj.com/content/27/4/266.abstract N2 - Background A clinically suspected scaphoid fracture with normal initial plain x-rays is a difficult but common problem. The role of MRI as a diagnostic modality in this situation was analysed based on the experience of 611 consecutive cases.Methods All patients presenting to the emergency department with a history of a fall on an outstretched hand and with tenderness over the anatomical snuff box and scaphoid tubercle but normal plain x-rays were offered MRI as part of the standard protocol. Between January 2003 and November 2005, 611 of a total of 619 such patients underwent the scan and form the study cohort. Coronal 3 mm T1 and Short Tau Inversion Recovery images were obtained using a 12 cm field of view as standard.Results There were 342 abnormal scans (56%) and 269 (44%) normal scans. Of the abnormal scans, 80% showed acute bony injuries, 8% showed acute soft tissue injuries and 12% showed incidental pathology.Conclusions MRI is a useful and effective tool in the diagnosis of radiologically occult wrist injuries. It is feasible to do MRI scans in a timely manner in a district general hospital. ER -