Injuries and diseases of musculoskeletal system occupy the 4th place in the overall structure of morbidity in the world and are located on the 2nd place among the causes of temporary disability [2, 4, 6]. Incident rate among the adult population in Russian Federation reaches 94,4 cases per 1000. Among all the fractures 86,6 % are localized on extremities [1]. The primary study of changes and characteristics of bone structure in cases of injuries and diseases of musculoskeletal system is limited mostly by a standard radiography. But it is worth noting that traditional x-ray examination can provide not all the information about topography of such complex anatomical segments by its compound, as wrist, foot, ankle and hand [6, 7, 9 – 11].

   Despite the obvious advantages, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) still does not have a wide application in everyday clinical practice for distal extremity's researches [3, 5, 8, 11, 12]. In the framework of our research CBCT capabilities in assessment of changes of distal extremities have been analyzed. For this purpose: the cone-beam-semiology of bone structure changes has been précised; an assessment of efficiency (specifity (Sp), accuracy (Ac), sensitivity (Se)) of CBCT in characteristic of the bone structure was carried out; recommendations on application of CBCT in the diagnostic algorithm in the study of distal segments of the upper and lower extremities were worked out.