Radial artery aneurysm secondary to dynamic entrapment by extensor pollicis longus tendon: a case of snapping thumb

We report a case of a 35-year-old male mechanic who presented with pain at the base of the left thumb dorsally, with reproducible painful snapping on dynamic exam. Ultrasound demonstrated a fusiform aneurysm of the radial artery. At the level of the aneurysm, there was dynamic entrapment of the artery between the extensor pollicis longus (EPL) tendon and the underlying trapezium. The patient ’s symptoms improved with conservative management and avoidance of the snapping-producing maneuvers. To our knowledge, this is the first published case of snapping at the base of the thumb resulting in repetitive entrapment of the radial artery by the EPL tendon captured on dynamic ultrasound exam ination.
Source: Skeletal Radiology - Category: Radiology Source Type: research