title: [Carpal tunnel in complex regional pain syndrome: a case report].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  When treating complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) a positive outcome can be expected when the condition is identified and therapy is begun in the first six months. Nevertheless, symptoms may not improve by standard treatment as expected. One of the possible reasons for this is the coexistence of associated compressive neuropathies in the affected hand.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 50-year old female patient with history of CRPS on the left hand which developed as a complication of lateral epicondilytis treated with immobilization is presented. She continued to suffer from intensive pain in her hand despite pharmacological pain relief and initiation of a complex rehabilitation program. Electrophysiologic testing revealed the coexistence of conjoined severe carpal tunnel syndrome. After she underwent surgical decompression pain relief occurred and overall functional results improved.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Failure of therapy response in CRPS should alert the clinican to check for associated compressive neuropathy. Detection of this complication can prevent further damage of the nerve, hasten recovery of CRPS, and prevent eventual permanent disability of the hand.
authors.affiliation: Medicinski fakultet, Univerzitet u Beogradu.
authors.forename: Emilija Dubljanin
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Raspopović
authors.forename: Dragana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Matanović
authors.forename: Aleksandar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lesić
authors.forename: Vojo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sudjić
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zivković
authors.forename: Marko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bumbasirević
mesh_terms: D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D020918:Complex Regional Pain Syndromes / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged