CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME SECONDARY TO INTRATENDINOUS INFILTRATION BY TOPHACEOUS GOUT

• Published in: Scandinavian journal of plastic and reconstructive surgery and hand surgery Vol. 37; no. 3; pp. 186 - 187
• Main Authors: Mockford, Brian J., Kincaid, Robin J., Mackay, Ian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basingstoke Informa UK Ltd 2003; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - etiology; Cranial nerves. Spinal roots. Peripheral nerves. Autonomic nervous system. Gustation. Olfaction; Fingers; Gout; Gout - complications; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Metabolic diseases; Middle Aged; Nervous system (semeiology, syndromes); Neurology; Other metabolic disorders; Purines and pyrimidines (gout, hyperuricemia...); Tendons - pathology; Wrist; Human; Carpal tunnel syndrome; Nervous system diseases; Compression; Gout; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Metabolic diseases; Uric acid; Case study; Hyperuricemia; Complication; Infiltration; Purine; Peripheral nerve disease; Microcrystal; Tendon
• ISSN: 0284-4311; 1651-2073
• DOI: 10.1080/02844310310007827

Carpal tunnel syndrome caused by gout is rare. We describe a case of entrapment of the median nerve secondary to intratendinous infiltration by gouty tophi in a 54-year-old man. The tophus was excised from the profundus tendon but the superficialis was too infiltrated and destroyed to be saved. The patient made an uneventful recovery with relief of his symptoms. This case illustrates the potential consequences this could have for hand function.