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We present a 52-year-old male patient suffering from Marfan syndrome who developed an aneurysm of the distal radial artery. The histology showed the typical marfanoid structure of a thrombosed aneurysm. As far as we know, this is the first description of a hand aneurysm in a patient with Marfan syndrome., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

A giant cell tumour of the distal radius or of the carpal bones, verified by incisional biopsies, should be approached as a low-grade malignancy. Lesions that arise in the bones of the hand or the wrist have a greater propensity to metastasise, and have a higher risk of local recurrence. In this case report we describe a 54-year-old women with a giant cell tumour of the distal radius (Campanacci grade III lesion), having a follow-up of five years without signs of local recurrence or metastatic disease. The general principles of and options for surgical treatment are discussed., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

The aetiology of the carpal tunnel syndrome is unknown in most cases. Among our patients we found four with acute thrombosis occurring in a persistent median artery which led to acute carpal tunnel symptoms. The purpose of this study was to compare our cases with those from the literature and to show possible causes for the thrombosis. In conclusion, thrombosis of a persistent median artery as a cause of acute carpal tunnel syndrome is certainly very rare. Sudden onset of pain, local tenderness at the palm and decreased sensation in the median nerve distribution may provide clues for the diagnosis. Prior to surgery ultrasound can be performed to confirm the diagnosis.

A bone defect of 14 cm resulted after wrist implant removal because of loosening in a 46-year-old patient. Performing wrist arthrodesis the defect was reconstructed by a vascularized fibular transfer. Solid bone fusion was complete in six weeks. Free function of the digits was seen because of length reconstruction.

By means of the 99m-Tc-pertechnitate joint scintigraphy the authors try to document the effect of antirheumatic drugs in 62 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. By measuring the changes of the synovial blood circulation, conclusions are drawn as to the degree of inflammation. When trying to make a quantitative assessment of the changes of inflammation as compared with a standardised reference region, particularly on the wrist joint, it was found that the activity increased on the reference region on the forearm and that proved to be a possible source of error. The reason for this may be the early involvement of vessels in rheumatoid arthritis. For further calculations it will be necessary to set up joint and radio-nuclide-specific standards as reference points.