Congenital Great Toe Hypoplasia Equivalent to a Grade 3 Hypoplastic Thumb in a Patient with VACTERL Association

Abstract

Lower limb malformations in VACTERL patients are extremely rare and the most common anomalies are found in the tibial ray. We present the case of a 15 month old male with VACTERL and, additionally, a hypoplastic hallucal ray of the right foot in conjunction with a floating preaxial polydactyly. The great toe hypoplasia is similar to a grade 3b thumb hypoplasia with absence of the proximal two-thirds of the first metatarsal on the plain X-ray. We would like to draw the attention of hand surgeons to anomalies of the tibial ray, which, although rare, are the most common pattern of lower limb malformations in VACTERL association. All patients with VACTERL defects should be assessed for these additional findings.