Type 0 ulnar longitudinal deficiency.
OBJECTIVE
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.
Havenhill
Timothy G
TG
Shriners Hospital for Children, St. Louis Unit, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
Manske
Paul R
PR
Patel
Archit
A
Goldfarb
Charles A
CA
D005260:Female; D050276:Hand Bones / Q000002:abnormalities*; D006228:Hand Deformities, Congenital / Q000145:classification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013576:Syndactyly / Q000175:diagnosis; D013580:Synostosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D014457:Ulna / Q000002:abnormalities*