European journal of emergency medicine : official journal of the European Society for Emergency Medicine
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The 'clinical scaphoid fracture' remains a common problem faced by emergency physicians. Early magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been used to routinely investigate such patients presenting to the emergency department of Aberdeen Royal Infirmary since 2002. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of this strategy in the diagnosis of occult scaphoid fracture. ⋯ Early MRI can reliably detect radiologically occult scaphoid fractures and accurately delineate the anatomy of other injuries that may present with similar symptoms. This strategy avoids further radiation and can be incorporated as a part of an emergency department management pathway. Early and accurate diagnosis is in the patient's interest and allows timely intervention.