title: Neglected ruptured flexor carpi ulnaris tendon mimics a soft tissue tumor in the wrist.
abstract: A wrist mass is rarely caused by a ruptured tendon in the forearm. The common pathologies are ganglia, tendon tenosynovitis, and giant cell tumors of tendon sheaths. Less common causes are nerve sheath tumors, vascular lesions, or an accessory muscle belly. The authors investigated a case of neglected ruptured flexor carpi ulnaris tendon that mimics a mass in the wrist. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case report in relevant literature. During investigation, the high-resolution musculoskeletal ultrasound suggested a soft tissue tumor or a ruptured flexor carpi ulnaris tendon. The magnetic resonance imaging scan indicated an accessory flexor carpi ulnaris muscle belly. The diagnosis of ruptured flexor carpi ulnaris tendon was confirmed by surgical exploration. This case indicates that ultrasound may be better suited than magnetic resonance imaging in evaluating a wrist mass for its accuracy, availability, and portability.
authors.affiliation: From the Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan (C-LR, L-CW, Y-YH, F-SJ); and Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (C-LR, T-HY, T-HL) and Department of Orthopedics (L-CW), Shang-Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chi-Lun
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Rau
authors.forename: Tze-Hsun
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Yen
authors.forename: Lien-Chen
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Yi-You
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Fu-Shan
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Jaw
authors.forename: Tsan-Hon
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Liou
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004890:Erythema / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012421:Rupture / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery