A short cut review was carried out to establish whether magnetic resonance scanning or bone scintigraphy is better at identifying scaphoid fractures not apparent on plain x rays. Altogether 11 papers were found using the reported search, of which four presented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results, and study weaknesses of these best papers are tabulated. A clinical bottom line is stated.