Entrapment of the Palmar Cutaneous Branch of the Median Nerve, A Clinical Entity distinguished from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome:

Two Case Reports

Abstract

The palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve arises from the radial side of the main trunk in the distal forearm. It travels distally in close association with the flexor carpi radialis tendon and pierces the superficial palmar fascia, sending sensory branches to the palmar skin. We have treated two patients with entrapment of the palmar cutaneous branch in its course. Two patients, 34 and 44-year-old women, presented with dysesthesia and paresthesia in the palmar side of the first and second fingers up to the wrist crease. Tinel's sign was positive a few centimeters proximal to the wrist crease, while the nerve conduction velocity of the median nerve through the carpal tunnel was normal. These findings were compatible with isolated entrapment of the palmar cutaneous branch, and decompression of the palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve generated favorable results. This clinical entity should be distinguished from carpal tunnel syndrome.