Dual-energy CT occult scaphoid injury
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Dual-energy CT in the diagnosis of acute occult scaphoid injury
IRAS ID
201662
Contact name
Heather House
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
This pilot study investigates the use of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) for the detection of acute occult scaphoid fractures compared to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Scaphoid injuries are common presentations to the emergency department and clinically suspected occult scaphoid fractures are becoming a clinical issue for the trauma/orthopaedics team. Recent audits at our Trust have shown increase in referrals to the fracture clinic and long waiting time for MRI diagnosis of the occult fractures. The issue lies in several areas. There is no agreed standard second-line diagnostic imaging investigation for occult fractures. Different imaging investigation has its advantages and drawbacks. Currently there is a high dependence on MRI to exclude the injury, but MRI is also reserved for other conditions. Patients are waiting longer than the recommended time and receive unnecessary treatments/follow-ups for suspected scaphoid fracture. We propose a pilot study to investigate the use of DECT to exclude occult scaphoid fracture to avoid unnecessary treatments/follow-ups and reduce the high reliance on MRI for the diagnosis. This should be beneficial for the patient and cost-saving for the Trust.
REC name
South Central - Oxford C Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/SC/0613
Date of REC Opinion
6 Dec 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion