Asian Journal of Research in Surgery

Ulnar Tunnel Syndrome Caused by Neurofibroma in the Elbow: A Case Report

Sbai Mohamed Ali *

Department of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Mohamed Tahar Maamouri Hospital, Nabeul, Tunisia.

Bitri Ramla

Department of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Mohamed Tahar Maamouri Hospital, Nabeul, Tunisia.

Sbei Feten

Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Tunisia.

Bellila Senda

Department of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Mohamed Tahar Maamouri Hospital, Nabeul, Tunisia.

Mahfoudhi Sami

Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Tunisia.

Maalla Riadh

Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Tunisia.

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

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Abstract

Purpose: compression of the ulnar nerve at the elbow is the second nerve entrapment syndrome of the upper limb, often idiopathic, neurofibroma of the ulnar nerve is an exceptional cause of this syndrome.

Case Report: A 55-year-old man presented with progressive numbness and weakness of the right ring finger and the right little finger for one year. A provisional diagnosis of cubital tunnel syndrome was made according to physical examination and electrophysiological studies. The magnetic resonance imaging showed a nodular lesions over ulnar aspect of the right elbow, which was demonstrated to be a neurofibroma by histopathology. The patient had moderate improvement after surgical decompression of the right cubital tunnel.

Conclusion: This case illustrates the heterogeneous group of pathologies causing peripheral neuropathy. The diagnosis of ulnar nerve neurofibroma with ulnar tunnel syndrome was made carefully according to clinical manifestations as well as a series of electrophysiological, imaging, and pathological studies.

Keywords: Ulnar-tunnel syndrom, ulnar nerve, nerve compression, neurofibroma

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