Wrist and Hand Imaging and Complaints Flashcards
Differential diagnosis of the wrist and hand
- Radiograph: initial study for all hand/wrist Fx and dislocations
- MRI/MRA: occult or stress Fx (scaphoid, lunate), staging osteonecrosis, post-traumatic arthritis, ligamentous injuries such as TFCC tears
- CT: complex Fx (hook of hamate, scaphoid), distal radioulnar joint or thumb dislocation, intra-articular Fx
- Ultrasound: tendon injury, nerve lesion, ganglion cyst, & soft tissue masses
Appropriate imaging for wrist trauma/1st exam
- X-ray including at least a PA, Lateral, & semi-pronated oblique
Appropriate imaging for suspect acute distal radius Fx, radiographs normal, next procedure
- Cast & repeat x-ray first in 10-14 days or MRI wrist without contrast
Appropriate imaging for comminuted, intra-articular distal radius Fx on radiographs, surgical planning
- CT west without contrast
Appropriate imaging for suspect acute scaphoid Fx, 1st exam
- X-ray wrist
Appropriate imaging for suspect acute scaphoid Fx, radiographs normal, next procedure
- Cast & repeat x-ray wrist in 10-14 days or MRI wrist without contrast
Appropriate imaging for suspected occult scaphoid Fx, initial & repeat x-rays after 10-14 days of casting normal, continued clinical suspicion of scaphoid Fx, next prcedure
- MRI wrist without contrast
- CT wrist without contrast if MRI cannot be performed
Appropriate imaging for suspect distal radioulnar joint subluxation
- X-ray wrist & CT wrist without contrast bilateral
Appropriate imaging for suspect hook of hamate Fx, initial radiographs normal or equivocal
- X-ray wrist include supinated and carpal tunnel views
- CT wrist without contrast
Appropriate imaging for suspect metacarpal Fx or dislocation
- X-ray hand
- CT hand without contrast (if strong concern following radiograph)
Appropriate imaging for suspect phalangeal Fx or dislocation
- X-ray hand or finger include a PA, lateral, & externally rotated oblique views
Appropriate imaging for suspect thumb Fx or dislocation
- X-ray thumb include AP or PA, lateral, & rotated oblique
Appropriate imaging for suspect gamekeeper injury (thumb MCP metacarpophalangeal ulnar collateral ligament injury)
- X-ray thumb include PA & lateral view
- MRI thumb without contrast (if no Fx in x-ray)
- US thumb (alternative to MRI)
Appropriate imaging for chronic wrist pain with or w/o prior injury, best initial study
- X-ray wrist
Appropriate imaging for routine radiographs normal or non-specific persistent Sx, next study
- MRI wrist without contrast
Appropriate imaging for routine radiographs normal or non-specific suspect inflammatory arthritis, next study
- MRI wrist without & with contrast
Appropriate imaging for radiographs normal or non-specific arthritis, exclude infectious, next study
- Aspiration wrist
Appropriate imaging for ulnar sided pain, normal or non-specific radiographs, next study
- MRI wrist without contrast
- MR arthrography wrist