![]() Fluid distension of the tendon sheath, without associated parietal thickening or tendon abnormalities, is described as synovitis. Despite this remark, the authors routinely use the term tenosynovitis to describe the tendon sheath thickening in order to facilitate the communication with the referring physician. More precisely, the external reticular layer of the sheath is histologically normal, while the internal layer demonstrates myxoid or mucinous degeneration, and the central layer demonstrates vascular proliferation, and macrophage infiltration. The term tenosynovitis is also somewhat inappropriate, since the main histological marker for the condition is the mucopolysaccharide deposition in the tendon sheath, indicating degenerative process(3,4). The pioneerism in these reports is also questionable, since a very similar clinical entity had been described about 20 years before by Henry Gray on his classical anatomy book, where the term washerwoman's sprain was coined(2). However, the appropriateness of such eponym is controversial, since the original article simultaneously describes the cases of three physicians, Quervain, Sandos and Kocher, the latter having formerly been boss of Quervain and a Nobel prize winner in 1909 for his studies on the thyroid gland(1). Tenosynovitis of the first extensor compartment of the wrist is also recognized as De Quervain's tenosynovitis after the Swiss surgeon Fritz de Quervain, who was also famous for his studies on the thyroid gland. The present article is aimed at scientifically reviewing some of the most relevant aspects regarding terminology, physiopathogenesis, diagnosis and follow-up of tenosynovitis of the first extensor compartment of the wrist. In the recent years, there is a growing interest in the utilization of ultrasonography either as a diagnostic tool or as a forensic tool in medical-legal litigations involving the disease. Tenosynovitis of the first extensor compartment of the wrist is a common condition, surrounded by myths. ![]()
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