Occult fractures of the scaphoid: the role of ultrasonography in the emergency department.

Objective: To evaluate ultrasonography (US) performed by an emergency radiologist in patients with clinical suspicion of scaphoid fracture and normal radiographs.

Materials And Methods: Sixty-two consecutive adult patients admitted to our emergency department with clinical suspicion of scaphoid fracture and normal radiographs underwent US examination of the scaphoid prior to wrist computed tomography (CT), within 3 days following wrist trauma. US examination was performed by a board-certified emergency radiologist, non-specialized in musculoskeletal imaging, using the linear probe (5-13 MHz) of the standard sonographic equipment of the emergency department.

Sonography of masses of the wrist and hand.

Objective: The aim of this article is to present the sonographic appearance of the most common masses of the wrist and hand and to discuss the role of sonography in their diagnosis.

Conclusion: Sonography is a readily available imaging technique that can detect and assess masses of the wrist and hand. Together with standard radiography, sonography can be used as a first-line radiologic technique in this field.

Screw impingement on the extensor tendons in distal radius fractures treated by volar plating: sonographic appearance.

Objective: The objective of our study was to analyze the sonography examinations of nine consecutive patients with a history of distal radius fracture treated by open reduction and internal fixation of the volar plate who were referred by hand surgeons for sonography of the dorsal aspect of the wrist.

Conclusion: We postulate that impingement of the extensor tendons in patients with distal radius fracture treated by volar plating starts with local hyperemia and is followed by tenosynovitis and, finally, by partial and complete tendon tears. Sonography is an effective, dynamic, and noninvasive technique with which to diagnose and evaluate damage to the extensor tendons and their synovial sheaths.

Outcome of boxer's fractures treated by a soft wrap and buddy taping: a prospective study.

Introduction: The ideal treatment for a boxer's fracture remains controversial, particularly the degree of volar dislocation considered acceptable for nonoperative treatment.

Patients And Methods: From December 2003 to December 2004, 25 patients who sustained a subcapital metacarpal fracture of the little finger with volar angulation between 30 to 75 degrees were prospectively enrolled in the study. All patients were treated with a circular self-adherent wrap covering metacarpal bones II-V and buddy taping of the ring and little fingers for a period of 3 weeks while allowing immediate free range of motion.

Trans-trapezium carpo-metacarpal dislocation of the thumb.

We report a case of carpo-metacarpal dislocation associated with an isolated horizontal fracture of the trapezium. It is a rare lesion which is difficult to diagnose by standard radiography, and CT may be necessary for the diagnosis and correct treatment. In our case, stable osteosynthesis was achieved by internal screw fixation, and at follow-up there was an unrestricted, painless range of motion of the thumb.

Unstable distal radial fractures treated by external fixation: an analytical review.

A "Hoffman type 2" external fixator was applied in 33 patients being treated for distal radial fractures that were classified according to the three basic types of the AO/ASIF system. Thirty fractures were suitable for statistical evaluation. Fixators were used alone (n = 10) or in combination with internal fixation of the intra-articular component.

Complications of plate fixation in metacarpal fractures.

Background: The objective of this study is to assess the complications after open reduction and plate fixation of extra-articular metacarpal fractures.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and radiologic records of 129 consecutive patients with 157 metacarpal fractures treated by open reduction and internal fixation with plates between 1993 and 1999. Intra-articular fractures and fractures of the thumb metacarpal were excluded.