Type 0 ulnar longitudinal deficiency.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To describe the characteristics of type 0 ulnar longitudinal deficiency (ULD) in which deficiencies are present in the hand and carpus without involvement of the forearm or elbow.

METHODS:

A retrospective chart, radiograph, and clinical photograph review (1960-2005) of patients previously diagnosed with ectrodactyly, hand hypoplasia, or ULD was performed to evaluate for a diagnosis of ULD isolated to the hand.

RESULTS:

Thirteen extremities were identified. Three extremities had complete absence of the small-finger ray (phalanges and metacarpal) and 6 extremities had complete absence of the ring- and small-finger rays. Four hands showed hypoplasia of the small finger, 3 in conjunction with a ring- and small-metacarpal synostosis and 1 in isolation. Three extremities also had radial-sided hypoplasia or aplasia of the rays. Additional common findings included simple syndactyly, delta phalanx, and carpal fusions, most commonly of the capitohamate joint.

CONCLUSIONS:

Patients with isolated ulnar-sided hand deficiency such as ectrodactyly of the ring and/or small fingers or synostosis of the small metacarpal of the ring finger in the presence of a normal forearm may be diagnosed as having type 0 ULD. We propose that type 0 be added to the current classification systems for ULD representing those extremities with deficiencies isolated to the hand.

• Authors: Timothy G Havenhill, Paul R Manske, Archit Patel, Charles A Goldfarb
• Journal: The Journal of hand surgery (J Hand Surg Am) Vol. 30 Issue 6 Pg. 1288-93 (Nov 2005) ISSN: 0363-5023 [Print] United States
• PMID: 16344190 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Female
• Hand Bones (abnormalities)
• Hand Deformities, Congenital (classification)
• Humans
• Male
• Retrospective Studies
• Syndactyly (diagnosis)
• Synostosis (diagnosis)
• Ulna (abnormalities)