Management of fracture-dislocations of the little finger carpometacarpal joint: a systematic review.

Fracture-dislocations of the carpometacarpal joint (CMCJ) of the little ray involve dorsal subluxation of the metacarpal base and they may be associated with injury of neighbouring CMCJs. Different treatment options are described, with no clear consensus on their management. This study presents a systematic review of comparative studies describing the management of these injuries. A bespoke search strategy was applied across multiple databases. Results were screened against specified stepwise inclusion criteria and data were extracted independently by two authors with discrepancy resolution by a third. Of 437 search results, six comparative studies were identified. Comparisons included non-operative or early mobilization versus fixation K-wires or open reduction and internal fixation. Conclusions were mixed; all studies had critical or significant risks of bias (using the ROBINS-I tool) and there was heterogeneity between studies.

Snapshot quiz - recurrent right iliac fossa pain in the patient with a previous history of appendicitis.

A low threshold for computed tomography (CT) scanning in patients with previous appendicectomy and right iliac fossa pain helps facilitate timely diagnosis and exclusion of other differential diagnoses. Here, we present a rare cause which has significant medicolegal ramifications and is accurately diagnosed with CT.