Carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the commonest entrapment neuropathy and is due to combined compression and traction on the median nerve at the wrist. It is often idiopathic. Although spontaneous resolution is possible, the usual natural evolution is slow progression. Diagnosis is mainly clinical depending on symptoms and provocative tests. An electromyogram is recommended preoperatively and in cases of work-related disease. Medical treatment is indicated early on or in cases with no deficit and consists of steroid injection in the canal or a night splint in neutral wrist position. Surgical treatment is by section of the flexor retinaculum and is indicated in resistance to medical treatment, in deficit or acute cases. Mini-invasive techniques such as endoscopic and mini-open approaches to carpal tunnel release with higher learning curves are justified by the shorter functional recovery time compared to classical surgery, but with identical long-term results. The choice depends on the surgeon's preference, patient information, stage of severity, etiology and availability of material. Results are satisfactory in 90% of cases. Nerve recovery depends on the stage of severity as well as general patient factors. Recovery of force takes about 2–3 months after the disappearance of ‘pillar pain’. This operation has a benign reputation with a 0.2–0.5% reported neurovascular complication rate.     

Fracture of the body of hamate associated with a fracture of the base of fourth metacarpal: A case report and review of literature of the last 20 years

INTRODUCTIONFractures of the carpal bones are often difficult to diagnose and treat due to the complex bone architecture of this region. Hamate fractures, particularly body fractures, are extremely uncommon.PRESENTATION OF CASEWe present a case of a coronal fracture of the hamate associated with a fracture of the base of the fourth metacarpal, which was treated by open reduction and internal fixation.DISCUSSIONSome of hamate body fractures are associated with other injuries like metacarpal fractures. Its diagnosis is difficult and requires a high clinical suspicion and a proper radiological examination. This fracture is a very rare lesion that can raise questions about their most adequate diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.CONCLUSIONAfter reviewing the literature, we conclude that there is a high rate of delay in the diagnosis of these lesions, probably due to their rarity and to the lack of radiological studies specifically targeting this region. Despite this, surgical treatment in its different modalities has been shown to have the best clinical and functional results.     

Fibrolipomatous hamartoma of the median nerve: A cause of acute bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome in a three-year-old child: A case report and comprehensive literature review

A three-year-old boy was investigated for inexplicable incessant crying. On examination, his left wrist was mildly swollen (three to four months) and sensitive. Exploration and carpal tunnel decompression of the left wrist with incisional biopsy was performed for the presence of a fusiform swelling intimately associated with the median nerve. Histopathology revealed the presence of enlarged nerve bundles admixed with mature fat cells and diffuse fibroblastic proliferation. Three months later, he underwent urgent contralateral carpal tunnel decompression for a similar presentation. The final diagnosis was bilateral fibrolipomatous hamartoma (FLH) of the median nerves causing acute bilateral compression neuropathy.FLH of the median nerve is an extremely unusual cause of acute bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome in a young child presenting with ‘incessant crying’. A comprehensive review of FLH including epidemiology, etiology, clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, imaging, pathology, treatment and prognosis is discussed.