A team of doctors at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhopal, led by Dr. Santosh Laxman Wakode, HOD Physiology, and Dr Amit Agrawal, HOD Neurosurgery, have published a paper describing a rare variant of Berrettini Anastomosis in the International Journal of Surgery Case Reports. The paper, co-authored by Dr. Naveen Ravi, details the case of a 25-year-old male who sustained a laceration injury of the right median nerve and flexor tendons during an assault with a knife.

Following surgical repair of the injury, the patient underwent a nerve conduction study (NCS) during rehabilitation, which incidentally revealed that the ulnar nerve was responsible for sensory innervation of digit 2.

The NCS findings suggested that the sensory supply of digits 2,3,4 and 5 were provided by the ulnar nerve. This variant of Berrettini Anastomosis, where the ulnar nerve provides sensory innervation to the index finger, is extremely rare and has not been previously reported in the literature.

The doctors noted that without adequate knowledge of communicating branch crossovers in the palm, there is a possibility of misdiagnosis of clinical findings and misinterpretation of NCS features.

The case highlights the importance of thorough knowledge of nerve anatomy and electro-diagnostic testing for accurate diagnosis and management of nerve injuries.

The publication of this paper is a significant contribution to the field of physiology, neurosurgery and nerve injury management. The doctors hope that this case report will help increase awareness and understanding of rare variants of nerve anatomy and improve the diagnosis and treatment of nerve injuries.