Abstract
Introduction
A 64-year-old woman presented with symptoms of subacute exacerbation of a year-long carpal tunnel syndrome that was caused by a large calcified mass in the tunnel.
Conclusion
The resected mass consisted of very tiny rods, and x-ray diffraction analysis, as well as the component analysis using energy dispersive x-ray microanalysis, revealed the mass to be most compatible with apatite. The back-scattered electron images suggested that precipitation might be a mechanism for development of the calcified mass.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bagatur AE, Zorer G (2001) The carpal tunnel syndrome is a bilateral disorder. J Bone Joint Surg [Br] 83B:655–658
Chiu KY, Ng WF, Wong WB, Choi CH, Chow SP (1992) Acute carpal tunnel syndrome caused by pseudogout. J Hand Surg 17A:299–302
Cofan F, Garcia S, Combalia A, Segur J-M, Oppenheimer F (2002) Carpal tunnel syndrome secondary to uraemic tumoral calcinosis. Rheumatology 41:701–703
Gerster JC, Lagier R, Boivin G, Schneider C (1980) Carpal tunnel syndrome in chondrocalcinosis of the wrist. Clinical and histologic study. Arthritis Rheum 23:926–931
Goodwin DRA, Arbel R (1985) Pseudogout of the wrist presenting as acute median nerve compression. J Hand Surg 10B:261–262
Halverson PB, McCarty DJ (1993) Basic calcium phosphate (apatite, octacalcium phosphate, tricalcium phosphate) crystal deposition diseases. In: McCarty DJ, Koopman WJ (eds) Arthritis and allied conditions, 12th edn. Lea & Febiger, New York, pp 1857–1872
Lagier R, Boivin G, Gerster JC (1984) Carpal tunnel syndrome associated with mixed calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate and apatite crystal deposition in tendon synovial sheath. Arthritis Rheum 27:1190–1195
Nakamichi K, Tachibana S (1993) Unilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and space-occupying lesions. J Hand Surg 18B:748–749
Nakamichi K, Tachibana S, Tamai K (1994) Carpal tunnel syndrome caused by a mass of calcium phosphate. J Hand Surg 19A:111–113
Rate AJ, Parkinson RW, Meadows TH, Freemont AJ (1992) Acute carpal tunnel syndrome due to pseudogout. J Hand Surg 17B:217–218
Saitoh S, Hata Y, Murakami N, Seki H, Miyauchi S, Takaoka K (2000) Ectopic calcification following tibial fracture: property analysis. Skeletal Radiol 29:609–612
Verfaillie S, DeSmet L, Leemans A, Van Damme B, Fabry G (1996) Acute carpal tunnel syndrome caused by hydroxyapatite crystals: a case report. J Hand Surg 21A:360–362
Acknowledgement
We would like to express our sincere thanks to Springer-Verlag for allowing us to reproduce Fig. 4b from an article published in Skeletal Radiology in 2000 by Springer-Verlag.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sensui, K., Saitoh, S., Kametani, K. et al. Property analysis of ectopic calcification in the carpal tunnel identification of apatite crystals: a case report. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 123, 442–445 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-003-0574-0
Received:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-003-0574-0