title: [Compression of the palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve at the wrist].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the compression factor and clinical manifestation of the compression of the palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve.
  
  
  METHODS
  Anatomic study was done on both sides of 2 cadavers and 6 cases of hand injury in the debridement, the origin, course, branch of the palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve were observed. From 1995 to 1998, 12 patients of compression of the palmar cutaneous branch were treated by local blockade injection. Among them, there were 8 males and 4 females, aged from 23 to 65 years and the course of disease ranged 3 to 12 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve was (1.3 +/- 0.1) mm in diameter, it could be pulled when the wrist dorsi-extension. All cases showed good recovery of hand function and no recurrence after 4 to 12 months follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The palmar cutaneous branch compression syndrome is closely related to the local anatomy. The diagnosis is definite according to the clinical symptoms and signs, and local blocking is effective on the most patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, First Hospital of Yinchuan, Yinchuan, Ningxia, P. R. China 750001.
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: X Y
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Z J
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Liang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D020423:Median Neuropathy / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000601:surgery*; D014953:Wrist / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000294:innervation*