Increased radiodensity of the proximal pole of the scaphoid: a common finding in computed tomography imaging of the wrist

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the proximal pole (PP) of the scaphoid is denser than the distal pole (DP) in a diverse population of patients undergoing computed tomography (CT) imaging of the wrist. METHODS: Sixty-nine patients who had CT of the wrist were retrospective reviewed. We measured CT density of the medullary bone of PP and DP of the scaphoid and calculated PP/DP ratio. To evaluate the variability of PP/DP ratio, we compared the ratios of these 3 groups. These patients were separated into 3 groups based on their diagnoses: group 1, healed scaphoids treated by casting; group 2, scaphoid nonunions; group 3, intact scaphoids. RESULTS: Proximal pole was denser than DP in most subjects. Proximal pole/distal pole ratio was similar among groups (P < 0.05). Fracture healing, sex, and age did not affect this ratio. However, we did not study scaphoids with avascular necrosis. CONCLUSIONS: Proximal pole was denser than DP in most of our subjects, including those with intact scaphoids, healing scaphoid fractures, and nonunions.