Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Extensor pollicis longus tendon rupture following avulsion fracture of the third metacarpal

  • Case Report
  • Published:
Skeletal Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Extensor pollicis longus (EPL) tendon rupture is a recognised complication of distal radial fractures and their fixation with dorsal radial plates and pins. A number of other conditions including internal fixation of wrist fractures and inflammatory arthropathies have also been reported as aetiological factors of EPL tendon rupture. We report a case of extensor pollicis longus tendon rupture following avulsion fracture of the third metacarpal and review the radiographic and sonographic features.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Björkman A, Jörgsholm P. Rupture of the extensor pollicis longus tendon: a study of aetiological factors. Scand J Plast Reconstr Surg Hand Surg 2004; 38(1): 32–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Benson EC, DeCarvalho A, Mikola EA, et al. Two potential causes of EPL rupture after distal radius volar plate fixation. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2006; 451: 218–222.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Hung JY, Wang SJ, Wu SS. Spontaneous rupture of extensor pollicis longus tendon with tophaceous gout infiltration. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 2005; 125(4): 281–284.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Ishida K, Fujioka H, Doi R. Acute rupture of extensor pollicis longus tendon due to avulsed fracture of the second metacarpal base: a case report. Hand Surg 2006; 11(1–2): 43–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Shigematsu K, Yajima H, Takakura Y. Extensor pollicis longus tendon rupture as a result of scapholunate dissociation: a case report. Hand Surg 2005; 10(2–3): 307–310.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Santiago FR, Plazas PG, Fernández JM. Sonography findings in tears of the extensor pollicis longus tendon and correlation with CT, MRI and surgical findings. Eur J Radiol 2008; 66: 112–116. Jun 13 [Epub ahead of print].

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Lee JC, Healy JC. Normal sonographic anatomy of the wrist and hand. RadioGraphics 2005; 25: 1577–1590.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. De Maeseneer M, Marcelis S, Osteaux M, et al. Sonography of a rupture of the tendon of the extensor pollicis longus muscle: initial clinical experience and correlation with findings at cadaveric dissection. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2005; 184(1): 175–179.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Skoff HD. Postfracture extensor pollicis longus tenosynovitis and tendon rupture: a scientific study and personal series. Am J Orthop 2003; 32(5): 245–247.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to G. Ansede.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ansede, G., Healy, J. & Lee, J. Extensor pollicis longus tendon rupture following avulsion fracture of the third metacarpal. Skeletal Radiol 38, 81–84 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-008-0576-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-008-0576-7

Keywords

Navigation