MRI diagnosis of rubber band constriction syndrome

Rubber band syndrome is caused by constriction of the wrist from elastic bracelets worn for decorative purposes. Overtime, the fixed or elastic band burrows into the skin and becomes invisible. We present the case of a 2.5-year-old female child presenting to our institution with signs of circumferential swelling and inflammatory changes about the right wrist. MRI of the wrist demonstrated a subcutaneous circular foreign body, which was confirmed at surgery to be a rubber band. Although this disease entity is rare, radiologists can be instrumental in suggesting this diagnosis based on the location involved, ie, wrist, and the imaging findings.