ACCESSORY OSSIFICATIONS IN THE ULNO-CARPAL WRIST REGION

Accessory ossifications in the ulno-carpal transition such as ossa sty loidea or triangularia represent a rare finding, especially among youn ger individuals. The present results of radiological and morphological investigations show that up to 50% of the ossa are located palmar to the styloid process. Most of them have a sharply bordered contour and are less than 10mm in length. An aetiological classification of access ory ossifications in the distal epiphyseal region is only possible whe n an obvious case history is available. Accessory skeletal elements ar e present among elderly individuals as a result of sclerotic alteratio ns of the ulno-carpal joint elements. Among younger individuals, howev er, they point to a pathological aetiology and can therefore assume cl inical and diagnostic relevance in cases involving inflammatory rheuma tic and traumatic alterations accompanied by vague discomfort in the p roximal wrist region.