Posttraumatic neuropathy of the palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve: four cases. Laceration or entrapment?
The palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve is highly exposed to trauma at the wrist; nevertheless, very few cases have been reported. We report four cases of this neuropathy, three being superficial while the fourth was deeper or more severe. The neuropathy was confirmed using electro-neurophysiological assessments. Macroscopically, the nerve appeared compressed and enlarged, and in all cases, surgical repair produced a significant improvement. This neuropathy often follows minor traumas and, maybe, should be taken into account as part of the differential diagnosis of posttraumatic or postsurgical lateral and distal wrist pain.
Unit of Clinical Electromyography, Department of Neurophysiology, University General Hospital, C/Hermanos Falcó, S/N, 02006, Albacete, Spain. josempardal@yahoo.es
Jose Manuel
JM
Pardal-Fernández
Indalecio
I
Gracia-Rodríguez
Ivan
I
Iniesta-López
María
M
Rodríguez-Vázquez
D000328:Adult; D004568:Electrodiagnosis; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000294:innervation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000293:injuries*; D020423:Median Neuropathy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D012086:Reoperation; D012867:Skin / Q000294:innervation*; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery