[Hypothenar hammer syndrome; rare arterial disorder of the hand due to blunt trauma]

Abstract

The hypothenar hammer syndrome is a condition characterised by ischaemia of a finger secondary to thrombosis or an aneurysm or pseudoaneurysm of the ulnar artery in the hand. It typically occurs in the dominant hand of middle-aged men whose occupational or recreational activities require the use of the hand as a hammer. Arteriography is considered to be the gold standard for diagnosing this condition. Severe symptomatic cases are treated by surgical resection and revascularisation. The pathophysiology of this syndrome, its diagnosis and its management are discussed in this article by means of two representative cases, each having a different clinical presentation, diagnostic method and treatment.