Review Question - QID 2975

Vaughan-Jackson syndrome describes the rupture of the hand digital extensor tendons, which start on the ulnar side of the wrist first and then move radially. This is thought to occur from DRUJ instability, resulting in dorsal prominence of the ulnar head, leading to an attritional rupture of the extensor tendons. Extensor digiti minimi is the extensor tendon commmonly ruptured.

Vaughan-Jackson first described the condition in his case report in JBJS in 1948.

Williamson et al. report on Vaughan-Jackson syndrome, and note that prevention is the best method of treatment of this finding. They note that consideration of the surrounding arthritic changes must be taken into account when treating chronic dorsal tendon attrition.

Incorrect Answers:
1) Cranial migration of dens from soft tissue erosion and bone loss between occiput and C1&C2 describes basilar invagination.
2) Rupture of flexor pollicis longus in the carpal tunnel describes Mannerfelt syndrome.
3) Synovitis in the DRUJ leading to supination of the carpal bones away from the head of the ulna describes Caput-ulna syndrome.
5) Synovitis of the MTP joints with eventual hyperextension deformity of the MTP is a common toe deformity seen with RA.