PSEUDOAINHUM: Report of Congenital Case Involving Several Fingers and Left Wrist

THERE occur in the medical literature descriptions of the pathological entity called ``ainhum.'' Among the sporadic reports of this condition rare cases were described which were associated with diverse pathological syndromes.

True ainhum is a distinct condition. This strange word originates from the African term meaning "to saw.''¹ It affects almost without exception the little toes of some adult Negroes. It is characterized by an initial grooved plantar callus which gradually encircles the affected toe, forming a sclerosing band that deepens and strangulates the digit with ultimate spontaneous amputation within 3 to 10 years.

Ainhum-like syndromes which are attributable to scleroderma,² trophoneurosis,³ pityriasis rubra pilaris,⁴ palmar and plantar keratoses,⁵ syphilis,⁶ leprosy,⁷ cicatrices,⁸ metabolic diseases,⁹ syringomyelia, peripheral neuritis,¹⁰ parasites,¹¹ keratoderma hereditaria mutilans,¹² ancylostomiasis,¹³ a family disease,¹⁴ and congenital anomaly,¹⁵ as well as the result of known etiological factors, such as mechanical or thermal trauma or self-induced