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Case Reports
. 2016 Apr;10(4):PD17-8.
doi: 10.7860/JCDR/2016/17556.7648. Epub 2016 Apr 1.

Ainhum - A Rare Case Report

Ravi Prabhu  1 , Narayanasamy Subbaraju Kannan  2 , Sundaresan Vinoth  3 , Chinnappan Balasubramanian Praveen  3
Affiliations
Case Reports

Ainhum - A Rare Case Report

Ravi Prabhu et al. J Clin Diagn Res. 2016 Apr.

Abstract

The term 'AINHUM' is derived from the African word meaning 'to saw or cut'. True ainhum otherwise called dactylolysis spontanea is a condition involving soft tissue or digits with constricting rings commonly presenting in fifth toes, usually bilateral. It is to be differentiated from Pseudo-ainhum that occurs secondary to some hereditary and nonhereditary diseases that lead to annular constriction of digits. We report a rare case of true ainhum involving the left fourth toe only. It is a very rare case and a very few were reported worldwide. The highest incidence of ainhum has been reported in South Africa and South America. It is rarely reported in India. Ainhum when diagnosed and treated in early stages can be prevented from progressing to mutilating deformities.

Keywords: Dactylolysis spontanea; Streeter’s dysplasia; Vohwinkel syndrome.

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Figures

[Table/Fig-1]:
[Table/Fig-1]:
Preoperative picture.
[Table/Fig-2]:
[Table/Fig-2]:
X-ray left foot.
[Table/Fig-3]:
[Table/Fig-3]:
Post operative picture.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Greene JT, Fincher RM. Case report: Ainhum (spontaneous dactylolysis) in a 65-year-old American black man. Am J Med Sci. 1992;303(2):118–20. - PubMed
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