Diagnostic value of ultrasound in scaphoid fractures

Diagnostic ultrasound was used in 103 patients with a clinically suspected fracture of the scaphoid bone in order to achieve an early diagnosis. There were 48 women and 55 men aged 10–75 years (mean 31.4 years) tested with ultrasound. Of the patients, 72 were tested within 3 days after injury the remainder between 4 and 42 days. Fracture was confirmed radiologically in 27. We found that the ultrasound test, applied with a frequency of 1 MHz and intensity of 0.5 W/cm 2 and2.0 W/cm 2 for 30s, had a sensitivity of 37 per cent and a specificity of 61 per cent. We thus conclude that ultrasound is not suitable for early diagnosis of scaphoid fracture.