Deep branch ulnar neuropathy due to giant cell tumor

Report of a case

Rafecas, José C. MD
Daube, Jasper R. MD
Ehman, Richard L. MD

From the Departments of Neurology and Diagnostic Radiology, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, Rochester, MN.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Daube, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905.

Received February 3, 1987. Accepted for publication in final form May 21, 1987.

Neurology 38(2):p 327-329, February 1988.

Article abstract

Electrophysiologic studies indicated a lesion of the deep branch of the ulnar nerve in the palm of a 42-year-old man with painless weakness and wasting of ulnar-innervated intrinsic hand muscles. Magnetic resonance imaging of this region demonstrated a soft-tissue mass in the palm distal to Guyon's canal. Surgical exploration disclosed a giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath, compressing the deep branch of the ulnar nerve.