Increased radiodensity of the proximal pole of the scaphoid: a common finding in computed tomography imaging of the wrist.

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether the proximal pole (PP) of the scaphoid is denser than the distal pole (DP) in a diverse population of patients undergoing computed tomography (CT) imaging of the wrist.

METHODS

Sixty-nine patients who had CT of the wrist were retrospective reviewed. We measured CT density of the medullary bone of PP and DP of the scaphoid and calculated PP/DP ratio. To evaluate the variability of PP/DP ratio, we compared the ratios of these 3 groups. These patients were separated into 3 groups based on their diagnoses: group 1, healed scaphoids treated by casting; group 2, scaphoid nonunions; group 3, intact scaphoids.

RESULTS

Proximal pole was denser than DP in most subjects. Proximal pole/distal pole ratio was similar among groups (P < 0.05). Fracture healing, sex, and age did not affect this ratio. However, we did not study scaphoids with avascular necrosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Proximal pole was denser than DP in most of our subjects, including those with intact scaphoids, healing scaphoid fractures, and nonunions.