BMJ  2005;330:1073-1075 (7 May), doi:10.1136/bmj.330.7499.1073

Clinical review

ABC of emergency radiology

Hand

Otto Chan,

Tudor Hughes

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Introduction

The hand is exposed and at risk of injury. It is therefore not surprising that hand injuries are the commonest skeletal injuries, and they account for 10-20% of attendances at accident and emergency departments. Fractures of the phalanges are more common than fractures of the metacarpals. Fractures of the distal phalanx account for half of all phalangeal fractures. Metacarpal injuries occur most commonly in the thumb and little finger.


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  		Dorsal (left) and lateral (right) view of left index finger

 

Most injuries of the hands are easy to detect and correlate well with clinical findings. Identification of injuries is essential because early detection and appropriate management usually leads to recovery of normal function. Conversely, delay in diagnosis of what seems to be a minor abnormality can lead to a severe disability. Surgery is rarely necessary and only indicated for specific injuries. Clinical examination determines which radiographic views should be obtained.


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 Anteroposterior . . . [Full text of this article]

 

Anatomy

ABCs systematic approach

Adequacy
Alignment
Bone
Cartilage and joints
Soft tissues

Injuries

Distal phalanges
Crush fracture
Mallet finger (baseball finger)
Middle phalanges
Boutonnière deformity
Volar plate avulsion
Proximal phalanges
Spiral or transverse fracture
Metacarpal bones
Punch fracture (boxer's fracture)
Other metacarpal injuries
Thumb injuries
Bennett's fracture and dislocation
Gamekeeper's thumb (skier's thumb)

Key points


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Rapid Responses:

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Multiple factual errors in the ABC of emergency radiology
Norbert Kang
bmj.com, 7 May 2005 [Full text]
Re: Multiple factual errors in the ABC of emergency radiology
milind m deshpande
bmj.com, 12 May 2005 [Full text]
Re: Multiple factual errors in the ABC of emergency radiology
milind m deshpande
bmj.com, 12 May 2005 [Full text]
ABC of Emergency Radiology; Hand
Shehan Hettiaratchy
bmj.com, 14 May 2005 [Full text]

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