Fluoroscopy vs. Computed Tomography for Diagnosis of Displacement and Instability of Acute Scaphoid Waist Fractures

Mass General Brigham

Status: Withdrawn

Conditions: Acute Scaphoid Waist Fractures

Treatments: Device: Fluoroscopy

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02479009

2014P002038

Details and patient eligibility

About

Aim:

The aim of this study is to analyze if fluoroscopy is as accurate as computed tomography in diagnosing displacement of acute scaphoid waist fractures.

Primary null hypothesis:

Fluoroscopy has comparable sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive values compared with computed tomography for the diagnosis of displacement of acute scaphoid waist fractures.

Secondary null hypothesis:

All fractures diagnosed as non-displaced and treated without surgery are healed on radiographs and discharged from care within 6 months of injury.

Full description

The only confirmed risk factor for nonunion of a scaphoid waist fracture is displacement. There is consensus that displaced fractures should be treated with open or arthroscopically assisted reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). However, the optimal method to diagnose displacement is debated. Radiographic, computed tomography (CT), and arthroscopic diagnostic criteria for the diagnosis of displacement exist. There is no consensus regarding the imaging modality and measurements to use to diagnose scaphoid displacement. The definition of displacement in recent randomized trials is incompletely described and inconsistent. Fluoroscopy is more convenient, less expensive, and uses less radiation than CT scanning. If displaced fractures are unstable, then this should be apparent on fluoroscopy. The aim of this study is to analyze if fluoroscopy is as accurate as computed tomography in diagnosing displacement of acute scaphoid waist fractures.

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• All patients (>18 years) with a radiographically visible acute (< 2 weeks since injury) scaphoid waist fracture will be included. The subject has to speak and write English or Spanish fluently to be able to provide informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Pregnant women
• Women who are capable of becoming pregnant and not on birth control will be excluded due to the risk of pregnancy.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)