open access

Vol 76, No 2 (2017)
Review article
Submitted: 2016-07-22
Accepted: 2016-09-02
Published online: 2016-10-10
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Capitate-trapezoid synostosis: analysis of an Early Bronze Age case and review of the literature

P. Saccheri1, G. Sabbadini, E. Crivellato, A. Canci, F. Toso, L. Travan2
·
Pubmed: 27813627
·
Folia Morphol 2017;76(2):149-156.
Affiliations
  1. Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
  2. Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy, University of Udine, Udine, Italy

open access

Vol 76, No 2 (2017)
REVIEW ARTICLES
Submitted: 2016-07-22
Accepted: 2016-09-02
Published online: 2016-10-10

Abstract

Background: Carpal synostoses are congenital defects characterised by complete or incomplete coalition of two or more carpal bones. Although most of these defects are discovered only incidentally, sometimes they become clinically manifest. Among the different types of carpal coalition, the synostosis between capitate and trapezoid bones is quite rare, with only sparse data available in the literature. The aim of this report was to describe a case of capitate-trapezoid synostosis (CTS) observed in an ancient human skeleton, as well as to scrutinise the pertinent literature in order to assess for the characteristics of this type of defect, including its potential relevance to clinical practice.

Materials and methods: We studied the skeletal remains of an Early Bronze Age male warrior affected by incomplete CTS. Macroscopic and radiological examination of the defect was carried out. We also performed a comprehensive PubMed search in the Medline and other specialty literature databases to retrieve and analyse data relevant to the subject under consideration.

Results and Conclusions: The present case is the most ancient CTS ever found. In those literature-reported cases accompanied by careful anatomical description, such as the present one, incomplete coalition invariably occurs between the dorsal surfaces of the two bones, this characteristic emerging as a distinctive morphological trait. Literature analysis further suggests that the true prevalence of CTS is likely to be higher than estimates based on data gathered from radiology series, and that this defect may be associated with pain and carpal bossing more frequently than generally thought

Abstract

Background: Carpal synostoses are congenital defects characterised by complete or incomplete coalition of two or more carpal bones. Although most of these defects are discovered only incidentally, sometimes they become clinically manifest. Among the different types of carpal coalition, the synostosis between capitate and trapezoid bones is quite rare, with only sparse data available in the literature. The aim of this report was to describe a case of capitate-trapezoid synostosis (CTS) observed in an ancient human skeleton, as well as to scrutinise the pertinent literature in order to assess for the characteristics of this type of defect, including its potential relevance to clinical practice.

Materials and methods: We studied the skeletal remains of an Early Bronze Age male warrior affected by incomplete CTS. Macroscopic and radiological examination of the defect was carried out. We also performed a comprehensive PubMed search in the Medline and other specialty literature databases to retrieve and analyse data relevant to the subject under consideration.

Results and Conclusions: The present case is the most ancient CTS ever found. In those literature-reported cases accompanied by careful anatomical description, such as the present one, incomplete coalition invariably occurs between the dorsal surfaces of the two bones, this characteristic emerging as a distinctive morphological trait. Literature analysis further suggests that the true prevalence of CTS is likely to be higher than estimates based on data gathered from radiology series, and that this defect may be associated with pain and carpal bossing more frequently than generally thought

Get Citation

Keywords

capitate-trapezoid fusion/coalition, carpal fusion/coalition/synostosis, anthropology

About this article
Title

Capitate-trapezoid synostosis: analysis of an Early Bronze Age case and review of the literature

Journal

Folia Morphologica

Issue

Vol 76, No 2 (2017)

Article type

Review article

Pages

149-156

Published online

2016-10-10

Page views

1841

Article views/downloads

2850

DOI

10.5603/FM.a2016.0068

Pubmed

27813627

Bibliographic record

Folia Morphol 2017;76(2):149-156.

Keywords

capitate-trapezoid fusion/coalition
carpal fusion/coalition/synostosis
anthropology

Authors

P. Saccheri
G. Sabbadini
E. Crivellato
A. Canci
F. Toso
L. Travan

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