Delayed diagnosis of carpal scaphoid fracture in a young boy

Emerg Radiol. 2022 Feb;29(1):219-223. doi: 10.1007/s10140-021-01977-4. Epub 2021 Sep 3.

Abstract

Carpal scaphoid fracture is rare in children and is important to recognize early because of an increased risk for serious complications including non-union, avascular necrosis, and osteoarthritis. In the skeletally immature patient, a scaphoid fracture can easily escape detection due to clinical and diagnostic imaging interpretation errors. We report complete healing of a pediatric scaphoid non-union fracture after a remarkable delay in diagnosis and emphasize the considerable biological potential of the immature skeleton, coupled with proper stabilization, for good clinical outcomes.

Keywords: Fracture non-union; Paediatric; Scaphoid; Wrist trauma.

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Delayed Diagnosis
  • Fracture Healing
  • Fractures, Bone* / diagnostic imaging
  • Hand Injuries*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Scaphoid Bone* / diagnostic imaging
  • Scaphoid Bone* / injuries
  • Wrist Injuries*