Compression of the Median Nerve by a Lipoma in the Distal Forearm Associated with Bilateral Carpal Tunnel Syndromes

Abstract

A lipoma is a common, benign soft-tissue tumor that rarely arises in the upper limb. When one does occur in the hand, the location of the lipoma can cause nerve compression, which can mimic carpal tunnel symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging is the visualization modality of choice for diagnosis and surgical planning of lipomas. Surgical resection is recommended to relieve the neurological manifestations of this disease. The surgeon should always suspect liposarcoma first before voluminous, atypical, or recurrent tumors are considered.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Caused by High Division of the Median Nerve Proximal to the Carpal Tunnel: A Case Report

“…Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common neuropathy caused by entrapment of the median nerve by a thickened flexor retinaculum in the wrist 4,9,14) . However, various causes of secondary CTS have been reported, including vascular anomalies involving persistent median artery, variations of the median nerve, and space-occupying lesions in the wrist and palm [1][2][3][4][7][8][9]13) . High division of the median nerve proximal to the carpal tunnel (known as a bifid median nerve) is a median nerve anomaly with incidence rate of 2.8% 7,9) .…”

Ulnar Nerve Compression at the Elbow Secondary to Intramuscular Lipoma of the Flexor Carpi Ulnaris

“…Potential compressive pathologies include humeral malunions, osteophytes, arthritis, fibrous bands, and benign tumors 7 , including schwannomas and neurothekeomas of the ulnar nerve. Lipomas are common benign fatty tumors, although they rarely cause symptomatic compressive neuropathy 10,11 . Soft-tissue tumors infrequently involve peripheral nerves but should remain on the differential because complete resection is effective in eradicating nerve compression symptoms 11 We report a case of intramuscular FCU lipoma contributing to left ulnar nerve compression in a 62-year-old woman undergoing an open cubital tunnel release with subcutaneous transposition.…”