A case of a pediatric finger tendon rupture diagnosed by point-of-care ultrasound

Background Pediatric tendon injuries to the finger are rare, and their diagnosis can be challenging due to the difficulty in sensorimotor assessment in pediatric patients. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has currently been used for identifying tendon injury in adult acute care, but reports of its use in pediatric emergency departments are scarce. Case report A previously healthy 14-year-old male patient visited our emergency department due to a finger laceration that occurred when he was cutting sausages using a knife. Physical examination revealed a 1.5 cm laceration over the palmer surface of the left fifth proximal phalanx. Tendon exposure was unremarkable, and the peripheral perfusion and sensation of the injured finger were intact. Flexion of the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints was limited due to pain. POCUS showed the disruption of the tendon structure over the laceration site, suggesting the flexor tendon rupture. Wound exploration by the orthopedic team revealed a transected flexor digitorum superficialis and flexor digitorum profundus and a tendon repair was performed. The patient was discharged with immobilization of the injured hand. Why should an emergency physician be aware of this? Pediatric tendon injuries to the finger are rare, and their diagnosis can be challenging to diagnose due to the difficulty in sensorimotor assessment in pediatric patients. POCUS can directly visualize a tendon structure without procedural sedation or radiation exposure, empowering physicians to diagnose tendon injuries and optimize patient care.