Metacarpophalangeal Pattern Profiles in the Evaluation of Skeletal Malformations

Abstract

Metacarpophalangeal pattern profile analysis is a graphic method of depicting lengthening and shortening of the tubular bones of the hand and their relationship to one another. The lengths of the tubular bones are plotted in terms of standard deviation units. These data are derived from simple measurements from hand radiographs and related to age and sex norms. Comparison of these patterns is a more sensitive index for detecting similarity of hand radiographs than is simple inspection of the radiograph. Since many congenital malformations have characteristic metacarpophalangeal pattern profiles, the method can be useful in the diagnosis and definition of these conditions.