Presentation
Acute radius fracture.
Patient Data
Along the volar aspect of the hamate, there is an oval well-corticated bone in the expected location of the hamulus (hook). No evidence of acute carpal fracture.
Red arrow points to well-corticated ossific fragment at the expected location of hamate hook.
Case Discussion
This was an incidental finding during evaluation for acute radial shaft fracture.
A smooth and well-defined ossified body in the expected location of the hook of the hamate is most consistent with an unfused ossification center, also known as os hamuli proprium. Although a healed fracture of the hook of hamate could have this appearance, the exact alignment and absence of reported prior trauma suggest a congenital etiology.