Abstract
The hypothenar hammer syndrome is an uncommon lesion that is defined as digital artery insufficiency due to an ulnar artery aneurysm caused by repetitive trauma of the hand. Here, we present a case with a large thrombosed distal ulnar artery aneurysm that presented as a ulnar tunnel syndrome, with paresthesia in the ulnar fingers. He was treated by aneurysm resection and reversed vein graft reconstruction and made a full recovery. A review of the literature was done.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Brahy R, Lejeune G, Marechal R, Carlier A, Alexandre G (1977) Etude hémodynamique de l’eminence hypothénar dans les conditions de perméabilitéou d’obstruction de l’artère cubitale. Acta Orthop Belg 43:233–240
Conn J, Bergan J, Bell J (1970) Hypothenar hammer syndrome: post-traumatic digital ischemia. Surgery 68:1122–1128
Cooke RA (2003) Hypothenar hammer syndrome: a discrete syndrome to be distinguished from hand-arm vibration syndrome. Occup Med 53:320–324
De Monaco D, Fritsche E, Rigoni G, Schlunke S, Von Wartburg U (1999) Hypothenar hammer syndrome. Retrospective study of nine cases. J Hand Surg 24B(6):731–734
Green DP (1973) True and false traumatic aneurysms in the hand. J Bone Joint Surg 55A:120–128
Harris EJ, Taylor ML, Edwards JM, Mills JL, Porter JM (1990) Surgical treatment of distal ulnar artery aneurysm. Am J Surg 159:527–530
Heitmann C, Pelzer M, Tränkle M, Sauerbier M, Germann G (2002) Das hypothenar-hammer-syndrom. Unfallchirurg 105:833–836
Kleinert HE, Voliantis GJ (1965) Thrombosis of the palmar arterial arch and its tributaries: etiology and newer concepts in treatment. J Trauma 5:447–457
Koman LA, Urbaniak JR (1981) Ulnar artery insufficiency: a guide to treatment. J Hand Surg 6:16–24
Lawhorne TW, Sanders RA (1986) Ulnar artery aneurysm complicated by distal embolisation: management with regional thrombolysis and resection. J Vasc Surg 3:663–665
Lorelli DR, Shepard AD (2002) Hypothenar hammer syndrome: an uncommon and correctable cause of digital ischemia. J Cardiovasc Surg 43:83–85
Murata K, Shih JT, Tsai TM (2003) Causes of ulnar tunnel syndrome: a retrospective study of 31 subjects. J Hand Surg 28A:647–651
Offer GJ, Sully L (1999) Congenital aneurysm of the ulnar artery in the palm. J Hand Surg 24B(6):735–737
Rothkopf DM, Bryan DJ, Cuadros CL, May JW (1990) Surgical management of ulnar artery aneurysms. J Hand Surg 15A:891–897
Rtaimate M, Farez E, Larievière J, Limousin M, Laffargue P (2002) Aneurysm of ulnar artery in mountain biker. A Case report and literature overview. Chir Main 21:362–365
Sadove CS (1990) Traumatic infected pseudoaneurysm of the hand. J Hand Surg 15A:906–909
Torre J (1999) Ulnar artery aneurysm with digital ischemia. Vasc Med 4:143–145
Vayssairat M, Debure C, Cormier JM, Bruneval P, Laurian Cl, Juillet Y (1987) Hypothenar hammer syndrome: seventeen cases with long-term follow-up. J Vasc Surg 5(6):838–843
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Degreef, I., Smet, L.D. Distal ulnar artery aneurysm causing ulnar nerve compression and palmar hand pain: a case report. Eur J Plast Surg 28, 53–56 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00238-005-0752-0
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00238-005-0752-0