Dupuytren's contracture in a black female child

Paediatric Dupuytren's Disease in a Child of Indian Ethnicity: A Case Report and Literature Review

Paediatric Dupuytren's disease is a very rare clinical entity. Dupuytren's disease has preponderance to older males of Celtic heritage. We present a case of Dupuytren's disease in an eight-year-old boy of Indian ethnicity who presented with a progressive flexion contracture of his right ring finger for a duration of six months. On examination, he had an isolated 60-degree flexion contracture of the proximal interphalangeal joint with thickening of the skin and subcutaneous tissues. This was consistent with Dupuytren's cord and contracture. He proceeded to theatre for a dermofasciectomy, with subsequent histological confirmation of Dupuytren's disease. We performed a review of the literature and identified 21 reported cases of Dupuytren's disease affecting the hand in the paediatric population. This is a rare report of Dupuytren's disease affecting a child of Indian ethnicity.

Dupuytren's contracture in Ethiopia

Dupuytren's contracture is believed to be rare in Africa. We have observed the disease in many patients coming to our hospital. This study aimed to provide information concerning the occurrence of the disease and risk factors in these patients. All 75 patients who were referred to the hospital during a 2-year period because of a hand problem that was diagnosed as Dupuytren's contracture were included. The demographic data of the patients and possible risk factors were recorded and compared with a control group. The male to female ratio was 18:1. The little and ring fingers were most commonly affected. A total of 43 had bilateral hand involvement. The condition affected only the left hand in one patient. Six men also had fibromatosis of the soles of the feet and three of the penis. There was a statistically significant association with hypertension and alcohol consumption, but not with diabetes mellitus. We conclude that there are more cases of Dupuytren's contracture in Ethiopia than previously thought.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

Dupuytren's disease in children-differential diagnosis

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Dupuytren's disease in children is uncommon; only a few histologically confirmed diagnoses are found in literature. In its early, proliferative phase with many fibroblasts, it can resemble the early stadium of an epitheloid sarcoma, which also is a rare tumor. The purpose of this report is to show pediatric surgeons and pathologists the importance of differential diagnosis of nodules and fibrotic bands in children's hands, especially to exclude a malignancy.

METHODS

Between 1998 and 2000, 3 children at ages of 2(1/2) years, 9 years, and 10 years, respectively, presented with the clinical signs of Dupuytren's disease of the hand. Each of them had fibrous bands with a flexion contracture of the fingers. All of them underwent fasciectomy.

RESULTS

In patient 1, a 10 degrees extension lag of the index finger resulted after 3 operations. Histology findings showed the typical features of Dupuytren's disease. In patient 2, histology findings showed a recurring digital fibroma of childhood. After consultation with the pathologist and reevaluation of the slides, the histologic diagnosis was corrected to Dupuytren's disease. Full extension and thumb abduction has been achieved. In patient 3, histology of the first and second operation was misdiagnosed as Dupuytren's disease. In the third operation 2(1/2) years later, the histologic diagnosis of epitheloid sarcoma was made. Amputation of the forearm was necessary.

CONCLUSIONS

Exact anamnesis, location of the lesion, and suspicious diagnosis must be mentioned to the pathologist in the case of biopsy or excision of Dupuytrenlike lesions in children's hands. Awareness of the possibility of the epitheloid sarcoma may help prevent misdiagnosis.

Dupuytren's disease in African-Americans

Seventeen African-American patients were operated on for Dupuytren's contracture over a 14-year period. Six-month minimum follow-up was available for 16 patients. The initial deformity, and results of surgical release of Dupuytren's contracture in this population was similar to that described in North Europeans.

Dupuytren's contracture in the black population: a case report and review of the literature

A case report of a 34-year-old black man with Dupuytren's contracture of his left small finger and review of the literature of Dupuytren's disease in the black population is presented. A high incidence of trauma (54%) was associated with these cases.

Dupuytren's disease in children

Although Dupuytren's disease of the hand has been reported in teenagers, it is generally considered to be a disease of adults. A series of nine children who developed Dupuytren's disease of the hand before the age of 13 years is presented. Eight had surgical removal of the diseased tissue and histological confirmation of the diagnosis before the age of 13 years and one at 14 years of age. The presence of the condition in young children and teenagers is discussed and the literature summarized.