Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Screening of Axonal Degeneration in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Using Ultrasonography and Nerve Conduction Studies
Published on: January 11, 2019
Bilateral thenar hammer syndrome
Sandrine Jousse-Joulin1, Emmanuel Plat, Bruno Guias
1Rheumatology Unit, Immunology Department, Brest Teaching Hospitals, BP 814, 29609 Brest cedex, France.
Background:
Thenar hammer syndrome is a very rare condition that mimics rheumatic diseases such as carpal syndrome tunnel, Raynaud's phenomenon, and hand synovitis.
Objective:
To describe the sonographic presentation of thenar hammer syndrome in a typical patient.
Methods:
Grey-scale sonography and colour Doppler imaging of the hands with an iU22 scanner (Philips) were performed.
Results:
In B mode, the lesion was seen as a large, rounded, heterogeneous area combining hypoechoic and echogenic components. Pseudoaneurysm was diagnosed based on presence of a cystic saccular formation arising directly from the adjacent artery and exhibiting an irregular thick wall with turbulent blood flow in the lumen. Colour Doppler showed blood flow in part of the lumen, the rest of which was filled with a thrombus seen as echogenic tissue.
Conclusion:
Sonography can help to diagnose thenar hammer syndrome. Angiography may be unnecessary in patients with normal colour Doppler findings.
Related Concept Videos
Muscles that Move the Forearm
Forearm Flexors
The biceps brachii, brachialis, and brachioradialis are forearm flexors. The biceps brachii is made up of two heads. Its long head originates at the supraglenoid tubercle of the scapula, whereas that of the short head is...
Spinal Nerves: Plexus I
The Cervical Plexus
The cervical plexus, formed by the anterior rami of the first four...
Bones of the Upper Limb: Ulna
Bones of the Upper Limb: Radius
The radius has a nail-shaped head, and a short...
Muscles of the Forearm that Move the Hand and Fingers
Anterior Compartment
The anterior compartment muscles originate from the humerus. They primarily function as flexors and are also known as flexor muscles. They typically insert on the carpals, metacarpals, and phalanges. The superficial layer includes the flexor carpi radialis,...
Bones of the Upper Limb: Humerus
