What are the MRI findings of fractures?
MRI is an accurate technique for the identification of fractures in the wrist and hand, even when radiographic findings are normal. On fat-sensitive sequences (e.g., T1-weighted or PD-weighted images), fractures are seen as low signal intensity linear foci with surrounding low signal intensity edema. On fluid-sensitive sequences (e.g., fat-suppressed T2-weighted images), fractures are seen as either high or low signal intensity linear foci with surrounding high signal intensity edema. The fracture lines themselves may be obscured by the surrounding edema and not visible as distinct structures.
