Angiolipoma: A Unique Cause of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Abstract

Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common conditions affecting the hand. The majority of cases are idiopathic, with tumours causing less than 3% of cases. We present a unique case of an angiolipoma overlying the carpal tunnel as a cause of median nerve compression. A 54-year-old female presented with signs and symptoms consistent with carpal tunnel syndrome associated with an enlarging lump overlying the carpal tunnel on the palmar surface of her hand. Nerve conduction studies confirmed median neuropathy. The case was successfully treated by surgical excision of the tumour and open carpal tunnel release. Histopathology confirmed the presence of an angiolipoma. The patient had complete resolution of symptoms at the final 6-week follow-up. This case highlights the importance of considering tumours in the differential diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Multiple angiolipoma of the hand, back, and abdomen; a case report

“…Angiolipoma is a rare and benign variant of lipoma that usually occurs as a subcutaneous tumor. It has a hypervascularity exceeding that of normal lipoma, especially if thrombosis is present within the blood vessels [2] , [3] . These tumors can occur as single or multiple tumors, and are usually located in trunk and upper extremities, and rarely in other areas such as hand, spinal region, breast, gastric, lungs, kidney [4] , [5] .…”