Entrapment Neuropathy of Median and Ulnar Nerve Due to Soft Tissue Chondroma: A Case Report

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Soft tissue chondroma is a rare benign tumor, found mainly on the palm and sole and grows slowly. Typically, mature hyaline cartilage is the dominant pathological feature. There are reports that assert soft tissue chondromas to be a cause of median nerve entrapment syndrome. However, this is the first case report showing soft tissue chondroma to be a cause of simultaneous median and ulnar neuropathy. METHODS: A 62 year-old woman presented with chief complaints of numbness and hypoesthesia of her right palm for 4 to 5 years, and a palpable mass on her right palm that had been increasing in size slowly for 3 years. Physical examination revealed a firm, mobile, non-tender and about 3 x 3 cm2 sized mass in the center of the right palm. Electromyography showed entrapment neuropathy of the median and ulnar nerve. Ultrasonography showed an approximately 5.7 cm2 mass below the flexor tendon of ring finger. Upon surgical excision, a 3 x 3 cm2 mass attached to the flexor digitorum profundus of ring finger and redness and hypertrophy of both the median and ulnar nerve were discovered. Mass excision was performed gently and the specimen was referred for histopathologic study. Mass excision resulted in median and ulnar nerve release. RESULTS: The pathology report confirmed the mass to be a soft tissue chondroma with mature hyaline cartilage. The patient exhibited post-operative improvement of her symptoms and did not show any complications. CONCLUSION: This is the first case report showing soft tissue chondroma to be a cause of simultaneous median and ulnar neuropathy.