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Dorsal radiocarpal dislocation in a patient with Goldenhar syndrome: case report
Johnathan A Bernard1, Andres O'Daly1, Dawn M Laporte2
1Division of Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University, 601 N. Caroline Street, Baltimore, MD 21287 USA.
Background:
Fracture-dislocations of the carpus are rare, generally occurring after high-energy trauma. Goldenhar syndrome is among a group of genetic abnormalities associated with radial limb defects. We present a case of a dorsal radiocarpal dislocation in a patient with Goldenhar syndrome after a low-energy fall. To our knowledge, there has been no previous report of radiocarpal dislocation in the setting of Goldenhar syndrome.
Methods:
This patient with Goldenhar syndrome had a dorsal radiocarpal dislocation in the setting of an absent scaphoid and dysplastic distal radius. A computed tomography scan, recognized as a useful modality to evaluate the wrist and scaphoid, was used to rule out any other osseous trauma or avulsion fractures.
Results:
Closed reduction and 6 weeks of immobilization resulted in a successful treatment.
Conclusions:
The incidence of radiocarpal dislocations in patients with Goldenhar syndrome and the appropriate long-term treatment for patients with Goldenhar syndrome with radiocarpal dislocations require further investigation.
