THE HYPOTHENAR HAMMER SYNDROME - UPDATE AND LITERATURE-REVIEW

The hypothenar hammer syndrome is a rather rare vascular injury. It is seen in posstraumatic digital ischaemia caused by irregularity or occ lusion of the distal ulnar artery at the level of the hamate bone. It characteristically occurs in the dominant hand of middle-aged men whos e occupational or recreational activities require the use of the hand as a hammer. Three typical cases are presented along with literature r eview. The different aspects of this syndrome are described such as th e cause and pathogenesis, the most important clinical characteristics and differential diagnosis, the role of angiograpghy and Doppler mappi ng in establishing the diagnosis and the various therapeutic options, ranging from conservative treatment to resection of the thrombosed art ery segment with vein graft interposition.