An unusual cause of acute carpal tunnel syndrome: An undetected foreign body

Hakan Tekin,Ömer Faruk Koçak,Şafak Aktar

doi:10.5348/ijcri-201606-cr-10593

Abstract

Introduction: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a trap neuropathy in which the median nerve is entrapped and compressed. Various factors have been implicated in its etiology and to date no single cause has been identified. In literature, foreign bodies following trauma have been rarely reported to compress the median nerve, resulting in CTS. Case Report: A 19-year-old male patient presented to our outpatient clinics due to symptoms of CTS. The patient had a history of hand injury with window glass. The patient was examined both in emergency department and then in family health center. In examination with palpation and X-ray graphics an undetected foreign body was found. Conclusion: The current report presents a case of an undetected foreign body that resulted in acute carpal tunnel syndrome, and which could be the subject of a medical malpractice lawsuit.

Highlights

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a trap neuropathy in which the median nerve is entrapped and compressed
The current report presents a case of an undetected foreign body that resulted in acute carpal tunnel syndrome, and which could be the subject of a medical malpractice lawsuit
Very rare cases of Acute carpal tunnel syndrome (ACTS) have been reported in association with unnoticed foreign body that remained in the median nerve following hand trauma [6, 7]

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a trap neuropathy in which the median nerve is compressed as it travels through the carpal tunnel. Rheumatoid arthritis, steroid use, pregnancy, female gender, diabetes mellitus, acromegaly, hyperparathyroidism, patent median artery have been reported as risk factors in its etiology [3,4,5] Uncommon causes, such as benign and malignant tumors, anatomic variations, vascular insufficiency, trauma, and foreign body have been reported in literature [6,7,8]. Very rare cases of ACTS have been reported in association with unnoticed foreign body that remained in the median nerve following hand trauma [6, 7]. The current report presents a case of a penetrating foreign body that caused ACTS without causing median nerve injury.

Findings

DISCUSSION

CONCLUSION