Arch Hand Microsurg.  2019 Mar;24(1):96-101. 10.12790/ahm.2019.24.1.96.

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome Caused by Osteochondroma: A Case Report

• Yu HK
• Kang HM
• Kang HJ

• KMID: 2440618
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12790/ahm.2019.24.1.96

Abstract

Cubital tunnel syndrome is a compressive neuropathy caused by ulnar nerve compression on elbow joint. The causes of cubital tunnel syndrome are unknown but it can be caused by trauma, bone deformity and space occupying lesions like a mass. Osteochondroma is a common benign bone tumor, it usually develops at the metaphysis of the long bones. Symptoms of nerve compression by osteochondroma are very rare and there have been few reports of cubital tunnel syndrome caused by osteochondroma. The authors experienced a 46-year-old male patient who have cubital tunnel syndrome by osteochondroma. Therefore, we report the case with literature review.

Keyword

Cubital tunnel syndrome; Osteochondroma; Ulnar nerve

MeSH Terms

Congenital Abnormalities
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome*
Elbow Joint
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Osteochondroma*
Ulnar Nerve
Ulnar Nerve Compression Syndromes

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Mass on right elbow posteromedial side.

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  Fig. 2 The x-ray shows roundshape, large bony mass on medial side of distal humerus.

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  Fig. 3 The computed tomography shows large multi-lobulated bony mass on medial side of distal humerus.

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  Fig. 4 (A) T2 weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) show heterogenously intermediate signal intensity. (B) T1 weighted MRI show bright high signal intensity in the mass. (C) Gadolinium (GD) enhanced T1 imaged show heterogenous enhancement, relatively more enhancement in higher T2 signal intensity area.

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  Fig. 5 Ulnar nerve has thinned and compressed by osteochondroma. The osteochondroma was finded under the ulnar nerve and covered by cartilage cap.

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  Fig. 6 Right elbow range of motion was improved compared to before surgery.

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  Fig. 7 Histological section of an osteochondroma showing the three layers. White arrow: perichondrium, black arrow: cartilage cap, gray arrow: underlying bone (H&E stain, ×100).

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