Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

MRI findings in Kirner deformity: normal insertion of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon without soft-tissue enhancement

  • Case Report
  • Published:
Pediatric Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Kirner deformity is characterized by volar and radial incurvature of the distal phalanx of the 5th finger. A proposed causative mechanism includes abnormal distal insertion of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon along the volar surface of the distal phalanx of the 5th finger. A chronic inflammatory process or altered vascularisation of the soft tissues has also been suggested as the underlying causative mechanism based on MRI findings. We present a teenage boy with Kirner deformity, along with supplementary imaging of his father who also has the deformity, to illustrate MRI findings that dispute the above hypotheses. MRI in both son and father show normal insertion of the deep flexor tendon and no signs of inflammation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

References

  1. Kirner J (1927) Doppelseitige Verkrummungen des Kleinfingerendgliedes als selbstfindiges Krankheitsbild. Fortschr Geb Röntgenstr 36:804–806

    Google Scholar 

  2. Benatar N (2004) Kirner’s deformity treated by distal detachment of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon. Handchir Mikrochir Plast Chir 36:166–169

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Brune T, Schiborr M, Maintz D et al (2003) Kirner’s deformity of all fingers in a 5-year-old girl: soft-tissue enhancement with normal bones on contrast-enhanced MRI. Pediatr Radiol 33:709–711

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Song WC, Koh KS (2005) Kirner’s deformity: progressiveness and classification. Surg Radiol Anat 27:459–462

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Carstam N, Eiken O (1970) Kirner’s deformity of the little finger. Case reports and proposed treatment. J Bone Joint Surg Am 52:1663–1665

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Miller S (2004) Kirner deformity: a specific digital curvature abnormality. Pediatr Radiol 34:511–512, author reply 513

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Dykes RG (1978) Kirner’s deformity of the little finger. J Bone Joint Surg Br 60:58–60

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 50 Ilwon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 135-710, Korea

    Jaejoon Lee, Joong Kyong Ahn, Eun-Mi Koh & Hoon-Suk Cha

  2. Department of Radiology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

    Sang-Hee Choi

Authors
  1. Jaejoon Lee
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Joong Kyong Ahn
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sang-Hee Choi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Eun-Mi Koh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Hoon-Suk Cha
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hoon-Suk Cha.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lee, J., Ahn, J.K., Choi, SH. et al. MRI findings in Kirner deformity: normal insertion of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon without soft-tissue enhancement. Pediatr Radiol 40, 1572–1575 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-010-1628-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-010-1628-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation