Guyon's Canal Syndrome: Ulnar Nerve Compression at the Wrist

Abstract

Guyon's canal syndrome is a relatively uncommon condition resulting from compression of the ulnar nerve as it passes through the ulnar tunnel in the wrist. The syndrome may cause weakness and atrophy of the intrinsic hand muscles and loss of sensation in the ulnar nerve distribution area of the hand. Etiology of Guyon's canal syndrome including various intrinsic and extrinsic factors, they are tumors, anatomic abnormalities, trauma, vascular pathology and arthritis. Guyon's canal syndrome can be classified into three types. In the type I syndrome, the combined motor and sensory dysfunction. In the type Ⅱ syndrome, motor function is affected alone. In the type Ⅲ sydrome, sensory function is affected alone. The diagnosis can be made on the clinical picture, nerve conduction velocity (NCV), and electromyography (EMG). Surgical treatment with ulnar nerve decompression will lead to good result. Here we report 16 cases of Guyon's canal syndrome underwent surgical intervention from June 1983 to August 1993. The diagnosis, classification, etiology, treatment, result of this disease and associated literatures are reviewed.