intercalated deficiency
Last reviewed 01/2018
An intercalary or intersegmental defect is a form of congential limb anomaly with failure of formation of parts. It is more widely known as phocomelia. A segment of a limb is absent with relatively normal segment distally. Examples include:
- complete: the hand attaches to the trunk eg at the glenohumeral joint
- proximal: forearm attaches to trunk
- distal: hand attaches to humerus
Phocomelia is associated with the ingestion of thalidomide in pregnancy. It is also part of the Cornelia de Lange association.
Treatment is non-surgical with the introduction of a prosthesis.