A Conservatively Managed Anatomical Variant of the Flexor Digitorum Superficialis Muscle in the Hand.
Anomalous flexor digitorum superficialis muscles in the hand are an uncommon phenomenon, and therefore present challenges in diagnosis and management. We report a case of a 16-year-old girl presenting with a painful, slowly enlarging palmar swelling. The swelling was investigated with ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging, and was found to be an anomalous muscle belly of the flexor digitorum superficialis muscle. After careful consideration, multidisciplinary discussion, and thorough imaging, the patient was treated successfully without surgical exploration or excision, in comparison to previously reported cases. The patient was pain free and had no concerns at 8-month follow-up, demonstrating the value of conservative management in these cases.
Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Royal Stoke University Hospital, Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom.
Benjamin D
BD
Chatterton
Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Royal Stoke University Hospital, Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom.
Thomas S
TS
Moores
Keele University School of Medicine, Keele University, Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom.
Nicholas
N
Heinz
Department of Radiology, Royal Stoke University Hospital, Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom.
Praveen
P
Datta
Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Royal Stoke University Hospital, Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom.
Kevin D
KD
Smith
Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Royal Stoke University Hospital, Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom.
Peter B M
PB
Thomas
anatomic variants; flexor digitorum superficialis; magnetic resonance imaging; ultrasound