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Digital ulcers as the first manifestation of carpal tunnel syndrome

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Abstract

While carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common entrapment neuropathy presented at rheumatologic consultation, its ulcerative variant is rarely described. We report of a case of severe bilateral medial nerve palsy, presented to us for diagnosis of chronic digital ulcers which had been suspected to be rheumatologic in origin. Careful examination revealed an unusual case of CTS in an advanced stage, which presented itself with skin changes only, lacking all the typical neurologic symptoms or rheumatologic background. Our case stresses the importance for rheumatologists to be aware of the ulcerative form of CTS as one of the etiologic differential diagnostic options of digital ulcers.

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The authors declare no conflict of interests.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rheumatology, University Medical Centre, Vodnikova 62, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Katja Perdan-Pirkmajer, Sonja Praprotnik & Matija Tomšič

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  1. Katja Perdan-Pirkmajer
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  2. Sonja Praprotnik
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  3. Matija Tomšič
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Correspondence to Katja Perdan-Pirkmajer.

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Perdan-Pirkmajer, K., Praprotnik, S. & Tomšič, M. Digital ulcers as the first manifestation of carpal tunnel syndrome. Rheumatol Int 31, 685–686 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-009-1229-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-009-1229-4

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