Metacarpal hypoplasia associated with congenital constriction band syndrome.

Purpose: The amputation of digits that occurs in association with congenital constriction band syndrome (CCBS) is often described as similar to that resulting from trauma. Some previous studies have suggested that no bone hypoplasia is present in the affected limb proximal to the amputated part. The purpose of this study was to report our series of patients with metacarpal hypoplasia in amputated digits associated with CCBS.

Methods: We reviewed a total of 37 hands of 24 patients diagnosed as having amputated fingers owing to CCBS and evaluated the clinical features of the metacarpal bone hypoplasia.

Results: We found coexistent metacarpal hypoplasia in 11 hands in 9 patients. Three of the patients were male and 6 were female. The average age at the time of examination was 9 years (range, 4-20 y). We observed metacarpal hypoplasia in cases of amputation at the level of the proximal phalanx and not at the level of the middle phalanx.

Conclusions: We found metacarpal hypoplasia in 38% of patients and in 30% of hands with amputated digits owing to CCBS.

Type Of Study/level Of Evidence: Prognostic IV.