Cone-beam computed tomography for primary investigation of wrist trauma provides a new map of fractures of carpal bones

In 2016, our primary modality for radiological examination of wrist trauma, was changed from radiography to cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). This is a retrospective survey of carpal bone fractures detected by CBCT during 6 months in 2016/2017, compared with those found on conventional radiographs during 6 months in 2013/2014. The incidence of carpal fractures was three times higher during the CBCT period (92/100,000 per year) compared with the radiography period (29/100,000 per year) and the spectrum of anatomical locations was different between the two periods, with fractures of the lunate (n = 6), trapezium (n = 9), trapezoid (n = 4) and capitate (n = 1) detected by CBCT, in contrast to no fractures of these bones diagnosed during the 6 months radiography period. We suggest a more liberal use of CBCT for examination of wrist trauma considering the benefits of being able to give patients a correct primary diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. Level of evidence: III