Multiple carpal bone bruises

Case contributed by Henry Knipe
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

One month post distal radius fracture with out-of-proportion ongoing pain.

Patient Data

Age: 12 years
Gender: Male
mri

Bone marrow edema with transverse linear sclerosis in the distal radius metaphysis with dorsal cortical deformity and periosteal high signal in keeping with a buckle or healing fracture.

Multifocal carpal bone marrow edema involving the scaphoid, proximal trapezium, triquetrum, pisiform and hamate body, all with associated low T1 signal. No discrete cortical fracture of the carpal bones is identified. 

Case Discussion

Aside from the known distal radius fracture, MRI demonstrates multifocal carpal bone bruises but no soft tissue injury or joint effusion. This seems to be a common MRI finding in patients with persistent wrist pain following trauma. 

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