The Role of High Frequency Ultrasonography in Diagnosis of Acute Closed Mallet Finger Injury

Abstract

To evaluate the role of high frequency ultrasonography in diagnosis of acute closed mallet finger injury. 36 patients diagnosed with mallet finger were included in this study. All patients underwent ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) and X-ray examinations. A new kind of classification of acute mallet finger injury based on ultrasonography findings was described. The difference in terms of extensor tendon injury and bony fragment identification ability among the three types of examinations were described respectively. Either an injury of extensor digital tendon or an avulsion fracture of distal phalangeal base was identified clearly on ultrasonography. Among the 36 cases, avulsion fracture of the distal phalangeal base was found without extensor tendon rupture in Type A, complete rupture of the extensor tendon was found without avulsion fracture in Type B, and contusion of the extensor tendon was found in Type C. Compared with X-ray, ultrasonography and MRI could show the extensor tendon injury clearly. While compared with MRI, ultrasonography and X-ray was more sensitive in showing bony fragment. High frequency ultrasonography could be an accurate, reliable, and non-invasive diagnostic imaging method in diagnosis of acute close mallet finger injury.