Magnetic resonance imaging to visualize the internal anatomy in the Baller-Gerold syndrome.

Abstract

The Baller-Gerold syndrome is identified by radial aplasia with craniosynostosis. Only 12 cases have been reported previously in the literature; none of the reports describe surgical treatment for the radial aplasia. We report the case of a 10-month-old female infant with this syndrome, including severe bilateral radial clubhands. A radial anlage, which was tethering growth of the ulna, was suspected on physical examination and confirmed with magnetic resonance imaging. Resection of the anlage resulted in dramatic improvement in elbow extension, but additional follow-up will be necessary to determine the complete functional effect of the procedure.