Fractures of the hook of hamate: radiographic signs.

Abstract

Isolated fractures of the hamulus, formerly considered rare, are being seen more frequently. Many of these injuries are sports related, particularly in golf, tennis, racquetball and baseball players. Failure to make an early diagnosis can result in severe pain and sometimes incapacitating disability. We studied the clinical and radiological findings in 12 patients who had fracture of the hook of the hamate. We propose three radiographic signs of fracture that are readily seen on routine PA projections: "absence" of the hook of the hamate; "sclerosis" of the hook; and lack of cortical density, i.e., a barely visible outline, of the hamulus.

Fractures of the hook of the hamate in athletes: 8 cases followed for 6 years

“…The diagnosis may often be delayed because the signs and symptoms are rather non-specific, and routine radiography is not always diagnostic ( Norman et al 1985, Polivy et al 1985. In our series also, the diagnosis was delayed in 5 cases and routine radiography was diagnostic in only 1 case.…”

Les variations anatomiques IRM du poignet dans le sexe féminin

“…To our knowledge, only one case of bilateral absence of the hook is reported in the literature by Seeger et al [21]; it was observed on plain radiographs. The hook is normally visualised in its full length on the carpal tunnel standard view [6], or more optimally on computed tomography [3,16] or magnetic resonance axial images (Fig. 1).…”

“…Coupe axiale bilaterale en FFE montrant I' a. medi ane intracarpienne 11 gauche (fleche). Le vaisseau aberrant emet un hypersignal semblable 11 celui de l'a, ulnaire tflechesi and amyloidosis [16]. The deposited amyloid inside the carpal tunnel can erode and destroy the hamulus [16], as other carpal bones can be affected as well.…”

“…Le vaisseau aberrant emet un hypersignal semblable 11 celui de l'a, ulnaire tflechesi and amyloidosis [16]. The deposited amyloid inside the carpal tunnel can erode and destroy the hamulus [16], as other carpal bones can be affected as well. None of our participants had surgery or history of amyloidosis, which support a congenital origin of the absent hook.…”

Minimal Invasive Fixation of Hamate Hook Fractures Through a Dorsal Percutaneous Approach Using a Mini Compression Screw: An Experimental Feasibility Study

“…Isolated fractures of the hamate hook appear to occur more frequently than previously reported, which could be attributed to the increasing popularity of sports activities, such as golf, tennis, baseball, and hockey, more careful assessment of wrist injuries, and improved radiographic imaging [1][2][3][4][5]. Hook fractures are caused by direct or indirect trauma or a combination of both.…”