Management of clinically suspected scaphoid fractures: a survey of current practice in Israel.

BACKGROUND: Fracture of the scaphoid is the most common fracture of a carpal bone. Nevertheless, the diagnosis of SF might be challenging. Plain X-rays that fail to demonstrate a fracture line while clinical findings suggest the existence of such a fracture is not uncommon. Currently there is no consensus in the literature as to how a clinically suspected SF should be diagnosed, immobilized and treated.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the current status of diagnosis and treatment of clinically suspected scaphoid fractures in Israeli emergency departments.

METHODS: We conducted a telephonic survey among orthopedic surgeons working in Israeli EDs as to their approach to the diagnosis and treatment of occult SF.

RESULTS: A total of 42 orthopedic surgeons in 6 hospital EDs participated in the survey. They reported performing a mean of 2.45 +/- 0.85 clinical tests, with tenderness over the snuffbox area being the sign most commonly used. A mean of 4.38 +/- 0.76 X-ray views were ordered for patients with a clinically suspected SF. The most common combination included posterior-anterior, lateral, semipronated and semisupinated oblique views. All participating surgeons reported immobilizing the wrists of patients with occult fractures in a thumb spica cast based on their clinical findings. Upon discharge from the ED patients were advised to have another diagnostic examination as follows: 29 (69%) repeated X-rays series, 18 (43%) were referred to bone scintigraphy and 2 (5%) to computed tomography; none were referred to magnetic resonance imaging.

CONCLUSIONS: No consensus was found among Israeli orthopedic surgeons working in EDs regarding the right algorithm for assessment of clinically suspected SF. There is a need for better guidelines to uniformly dictate the order and set of tests to be used in the assessment of occult fractures.