To find out whether it is possible to evaluate the healing of wrist arthrodesis, carried out with a metallic spider plate, by means of 64-slice computed tomography (CT).
18 CT examinations were performed in 12 patients 2 weeks to 37 months following scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC) arthrodesis fixed with a metallic plate. Ten patients also had plain films of the wrist. Radiation doses were estimated.
Plain films were difficult to evaluate due to overprojection of the spider plate. With 64-slice CT, however, it was possible to evaluate the healing process in all patients in spite of metallic artifacts. Radiation doses were low.
The healing of SLAC arthrodesis of the wrist is difficult to evaluate with conventional radiography due to the metallic plate. By means of 64-slice CT, however, it was possible to "see under" the plate in all 12 patients.