Posterior interosseous nerve palsy due to lipoma: A rare case report

Abstract

The posterior interosseous nerve is the terminal motor branch of the radial nerve without a sensory component. The nerve may be compressed for various reasons along the course of the forearm. Two different clinical pictures occur due to compression of the nerve in the forearm. In radial tunnel syndrome, entrapment of the nerve in the radial tunnel, pain in the elbow is at the forefront, while in the second clinical picture, posterior interosseous nerve syndrome, wrist and finger extension are affected. Posterior interosseous nerve syndrome is rare and develops due to many causes such as trauma, previous surgeries around the elbow, neurologic diseases and abnormal anatomical structures. A rare condition in the etiology of posterior interosseous nerve syndrome is mass lesions causing compression of the forearm.