Traumatic disruption of a fibrocartilage lunate-triquetral coalition--a case report and review of the literature.
Whilst osseous coalitions of the lunate and the triquetrum are known to be asymptomatic, fibrocartilage lunate-triquetral coalitions can present an uncommon cause for ulnar-sided wrist pain. To diagnose this condition a high degree of suspicion is needed. We present a case with painful post-traumatic disruption of a fibrocartilage lunate-triquetral coalition that was primary misdiagnosed to be a disruption of the interosseous lunotriquetral ligament and was initially treated arthroscopically. Persistent symptoms lead to X-ray examination of the opposite wrist, revealing a complete osseous lunate-triquetral coalition. CT and MRI investigations demonstrated the fibrocartilage coalition of the affected wrist. Subsequently, lunotriquetral fusion using a cannulated Herbert screw was performed and settled the symptoms completely.
van Schoonhoven
J
J
Klinik für Handchirurgie, Salzburger Leite 1, D-97616 Bad Neustadt/Germany. ad@handchirurgie.de
Prommersberger
K J
KJ
Schmitt
R
R
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D012667:Lunate Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D020127:Recovery of Function; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery