Radial Longitudinal Deficiency: The Incidence of Associated Medical and Musculoskeletal Conditions

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Abstract

Purpose: Radial longitudinal deficiency (RLD) is associated with certain syndromes and medical and musculoskeletal conditions. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the incidence of these conditions with RLD. Methods: A comprehensive chart review identified patients with RLD and a complete medical record. These charts were evaluated for the presence of associated medical and musculoskeletal conditions and biographic information on gestation, delivery, and family history. Results: A total of 164 patients with 245 affected extremities were identified; 138 patients had radius abnormalities and 26 patients had isolated thumb hypoplasia. Twenty-five patients had thrombocytopenia absent radius syndrome; 22 patients had vertebral, anal, cardiac, tracheoesophageal, renal, and limb abnormalities association; 7 patients had Holt-Oram syndrome; and 1 patient had Fanconi anemia. There were 32 patients with cardiac abnormalities and 60 patients with spinal or lower-extremity musculoskeletal abnormalities. The percentage of patients with associated abnormalities increased with an increasing severity of RLD. One hundred two of the 138 patients with types I through V RLD had associated medical or musculoskeletal abnormalities. In contrast, only 9 of 26 patients with an isolated thumb hypoplasia (type 0 RLD) had associated abnormalities. Conclusions: The high incidence of associated medical and musculoskeletal abnormalities in patients with RLD emphasizes the importance of a complete assessment including a complete musculoskeletal examination, cardiac auscultation, complete blood count, echocardiogram, renal ultrasound, and spinal radiographs. Although approximately one third of patients in this investigation had a syndrome commonly associated with RLD, most patients with RLD types I through V had an additional medical or musculoskeletal anomaly. Patients with type 0 RLD were less likely to have comorbidities.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1176-1182
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Hand Surgery
Volume31
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2006

Keywords

  • Radial longitudinal deficiency
  • cardiac
  • clubhand
  • syndrome

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