Carpal Fractures and Other Causes of Wrist Pain

MRI is the most sensitive modality for the detection of carpal fractures. Findings are typical of nondisplaced fractures elsewhere in the musculoskeletal system, consisting of a fracture line flanked by edema-like SI. Figure 89.1 demonstrates a transverse, nondisplaced fracture through the waist of the scaphoid. The fracture line appears as low SI on both (A) PDWI and (B) STIR T2WI, surrounded by marrow edema appearing as low and high SI on those respective sequences. Such edema may also be well demonstrated on FS PDWI. Due to the distal origin of the proximal scaphoid’s blood supply, fractures of the proximal scaphoid or the waist are susceptible to AVN. Images obtained 2 weeks later again demonstrate edema-like SI on (C) T1WI localized primarily to the proximal pole. On (D

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