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Wrist XRayAka: Wrist Imaging

Views
1. Standard
  1. Posterior-anterior XRay
  2. Lateral XRay
    1. Check alignment: Radius, Lunate/Scaphoid, Capitate
2. Special
  1. Scaphoid Fracture suspected
    1. Scaphoid View
  2. Hamate Fracture suspected
    1. Carpal tunnel view
    2. Supinated oblique view
  3. ScaphoLunate dissociation
    1. Clenched-fist view
    2. Supinated wrist with ulnar deviation
Other imaging modalities
1. Ultrasound
  1. Evaluates soft tissue (tendon, synovium)
  2. Variable efficacy based on operator
2. Bone scans
  1. Finds occult Fractures (Scaphoid), Stress Fractures
  2. Highly sensitive but not specific for Fracture
3. CT Scan
  1. Identifies Fractures and articular subluxations
4. MRI
  1. Identifies Fractures and soft tissue injuries
  2. Expensive, but most sensitive and specific study

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This page was written by Scott Moses, MD, and was last revised 1/27/2008. Please send comments and questions to the editor. Contact information may be found on the page About the Family Practice Notebook. These pages are best viewed with Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0.