[Importance of hand films in skeletal dysplasia (author's transl)]

The hand, as part of the skeleton, is generally involved in systemic skeletal dysplasia. However, the degree of abnormalities differs considerably in the various types of dysplasia. In some, abnormal appearance of the hand predominates, in other dysplasia films of the hand provide only little or no useful diagnostic information. At their first examination for growth disorders children often reveal bone dysplasia on roentgenograms of the hand. Therefore, evaluation of hand films should be done as thoroughly as possible. Morphologic and/or metric deviations of the hand may bring the first suspicion although they are not fully diagnostic. Systemic skeletal dysplasia should be diagnosed or excluded by additional adequate radiologic and other clinical examinations.