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J Reconstr Microsurg 2011; 27(6): 373-376
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1281517
© Thieme Medical Publishers

Case of Combined Thenar and Hypothenar Hammer Syndrome: Case Report and Brief Review of the Literature

Georgios Koulaxouzidis1 , Ziad Kalash1 , Horst Zajonc1 , Björn Stark1 , Holger Bannasch1
  • 1Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, University Medical Center Freiburg (UMCF), Freiburg, Germany
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Publication History

Publication Date:
29 June 2011 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Acute or chronic arterial thrombose due to repetitive blunt trauma to the palm of the hand is a rare occupational vascular disease. In most of the cases it affects the ulnar artery and its superficial palmar branch. Repetitive crush is pathogenic and the unique anatomy of the superficial branch of the ulnar artery lying next to the hook of hamate is causative. In rare cases it may affect the superficial palmar branch of the radial artery, called thenar hammer syndrome. The combination of both is an absolute rarity. Both syndromes are occupational diseases in workers using the hand as a hammer. Patients typically present with Raynaud phenomenon or complain about ischemic pain, cold intolerance, or cyanosis. The gold standard in diagnosis is the angiography. Surgical or conservative treatment can be performed successfully. We present a case of combined thenar and hypothenar hammer and a brief review of the literature.

KEYWORDS

Hypothenar hammer syndrome - thenar hammer syndrome - ulnar artery occlusion - fibromuscular dysplasia

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Georgios Koulaxouzidis M.D. 

Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, University Medical Centre Freiburg (UMCF)

Hugstetter Straße 55, Freiburg 79106, Germany

Email: georgios.koulaxouzidis@uniklinik-freiburg.de

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