LOW-FIELD MRI AND SCAPHOID FRACTURE

18 consecutive patients suspected of and treated for an acute scaphoid fracture were examined by lowfield MRI. This showed 11 fractures whil e seven scaphoids were considered normal. T1 weighted images showed a fracture as an area of decreased signal intensity. Two radiologically obvious fractures produced normal MR images. These fractures proved to be the result of old trauma. A wide spectrum of additional traumatic lesions in the wrists, not detected by routine X-ray analysis, were al so demonstrated. These included seven fragmented triangular fibrocarti lages (TFC), torn scapho-lunate ligaments in four cases and one torn t riquetro-lunate ligament. Bone bruises of other carpal bones and seven other carpal fractures were also detected. Low field MRI can be used to show scaphoid fractures and allows diagnosis of additional or simul ating lesions.