Pilot MRI scaphoid
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A single centre randomised, non-blinded, prospective pilot to test the feasibility associated with the use of MRI as the initial imaging modality in the investigation of patients presenting with suspected scaphoid fracture.
IRAS ID
185366
Contact name
Sam Gidwani
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 31 days
Research summary
The scaphoid bone is an obliquely orientated bone on the radial (thumb) side of the wrist, between the distal carpal row and the radius (Hackney and Dodds 2011).
However, out of the patients presenting with wrist pain and tenderness at A&E, most do not present with an obvious scaphoid fracture (Patel et al. 2013). It is estimated that the majority - from two thirds up to eighty four per cent - of patients presenting at A&E will have no definite bone injury at all (Patel et al. 2013), (Mallee et al. 2011).
Clinical and radiographic diagnosis of scaphoid fractures is often challenging, particularly at time of presentation. According to Nguyen et al. (2008) this situation might lead to under-diagnosis in up to 40% of cases, and subsequent under-treatment of scaphoid fracture, affecting patient outcomes, mostly in young people. To avoid potential clinical complications, clinicians tend to over-treat, leading to the excessive use of plaster casts. This can significantly affect a patient’s quality of life and their overall experience.
This study aims to test the feasibility associated with running a randomised controlled trial based on the use of MRI as the initial imaging modality in the investigation of patients presenting with suspected scaphoid fracture, including assessment of the instruments used to follow up participants up to 3 months following presentation in A&E/UCC.
REC name
East of Scotland Research Ethics Service REC 1
REC reference
15/ES/0146
Date of REC Opinion
6 Oct 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion