LONGITUDINAL COMPUTED-TOMOGRAPHY OF THE SCAPHOID - A NEW TECHNIQUE

Computed tomography is increasingly utilized for the evaluation of sca phoid fracture, nonunion, and deformity. We have developed a new techn ique of positioning patients while performing longitudinal computed to mography of the scaphoid. With the wrist positioned in radial deviatio n and neutral flexion, greater patient comfort is provided and immobil ization of the wrist is not required. A reproducible image can be obta ined with attention to the alignment of the scanning plane to the long itudinal axis of the scaphoid on the scout image, and verified with th e ''target sign''. High resolution images, which clearly demonstrate t he abnormalities of the scaphoid, can be produced even if the patient has a east on the wrist or if there is hardware in situ.