Entrapment of the sensory branch of the radial nerve (Wartenberg's syndrome): An unusual cause

Abstract

Isolated neuropathy of the cutaneous branch of the radial nerve is a rarely recognized pathology. It was described in 1932 by Wartenberg, who suggested the name cheiralgia paraesthetica. The syndrome is described as known the entrapment of the superficial branch of the radial nerve. Many different etiologic factors for chronic nerve entrapment have been described, however our case has an unusual cause. A 52 year old man had pain and paresthesia in the area over the lateral aspect of the wrist, thumb and first web six months after Colles' fracture. The patient underwent bony spike resection after five months with ineffective conservative treatment. He has satisfied after this operation. The case was presented because of disappearing his preoperative complaints after the operation with respect to Wartenberg's syndrome constituted a rare cause of bone spike which has not been mentioned in the literature. © 2001 Tohoku University Medical Press.