Presentation
Pain along the radial aspect of the forearm.
Patient Data
The tendons of the wrist's first and second extensor compartments show a thickened sheath with minimal synovial effusion. Tracing the course of the tendons in the forearm, they show intimate friction at the site of crossing of the first compartment over the second. Abrupt caliber change and increased surrounding vascularity are also noted distal to the crossing site.
Case Discussion
Proximal intersection syndrome is a condition caused by friction between the tendons of the first (abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis) and the second (extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis) extensor compartments of the wrist. This is a case of a patient who experienced pain on the lateral aspect of the forearm, proximal to Lister's tubercle on extending or abducting the thumb. The diagnosis was made based on both clinical findings and ultrasound imaging. Sonography is an important tool in addressing this condition, as it allows for a dynamic examination of the tendons at the crossing site and can reveal tendon sheath thickening and synovial effusion.
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