Recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome in a child due to fibrolipomatous hamartoma of the median nerve successfully treated by limited excision and decompression

10-Year Clinical Follow-Up after Decompression of Lipofibromatous Hamartoma of the Median Nerve in a 3-Year-Old Patient: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Lipofibromatous hamartoma, first reported in 1953, is a rare, slowly progressive soft tissue tumor, the characteristics of which include the enlargement of the affected nerve via the epineurial and perineurial proliferation of adipose and fibrous tissues. Out of 200 previously reported cases of lipofibromatous hamartoma of the median nerve, there have been approximately 25 pediatric cases under the age of 18. Herein, we report a case of lipofibromatous hamatoma of the median nerve in a 3-year-old female patient who was surgically decompressed via carpal tunnel release and epineurolysis. The patient was followed-up on an outpatient clinic basis annually with sonographic evaluations, and the postoperative 10th-year follow-up did not show recurrence or any deficits in motor and sensory functions.

Outcomes of Pediatric and Adolescent Carpal Tunnel Release

PURPOSE

To investigate carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) presentation and long-term outcomes of carpal tunnel release (CTR) in children and adolescents.

METHODS

All pediatric and adolescent patients who underwent CTR between February 2003 and June 2018 were identified. Patients were grouped by etiology: lysosomal storage disease (11 hands), idiopathic (6 hands), acute traumatic (7 hands), delayed traumatic (5 hands) and tumorous (2 hands). Medical records were reviewed for presenting symptoms and preoperative treatments. Final outcomes were assessed via phone interviews, chart review, the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ), and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) scores.

RESULTS

All 25 patients (31 hands) identified were included in the study; median age at surgery was 12.7 years (range, 2.5-23.3 years). Eighteen patients completed surveys at a median of 4.7 years after surgery (range, 8 months-16 years). Common presenting symptoms in lysosomal storage disease were numbness/tingling (7 hands); pain was only reported in 1 hand. The most frequent indication for acute traumatic CTR (7 hands) was palmar hand swelling at the carpal tunnel (4 hands). Delayed traumatic and idiopathic CTS most often presented with numbness/tingling (4 hands and 6 hands, respectively) and pain (3 hands, 4 hands, respectively). Of the original 4 lysosomal storage disease surgeries included in long-term follow-up, all experienced gradual recurrence of symptoms after years of relief (range, 3-14 years). Two patients underwent revision CTR and were symptom-free at follow-up. All patients with acute traumatic and tumorous etiologies had full resolution of symptoms. Delayed traumatic and idiopathic etiologies frequently experienced recurrent or recalcitrant symptoms (4 of 5 and 3 of 6 surgeries, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Carpal tunnel release often alleviates symptoms in children with lysosomal storage disease for years to decades. Carpal tunnel release successfully relieves symptoms in acute traumatic cases, but is not always sufficient to relieve symptoms associated with delayed traumatic etiologies. Approximately half of patients with idiopathic CTS experience recalcitrant or recurrent symptoms.

TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic IV.

Lipofibromatous Hamartoma in a Hispanic Patient with macrodactyly: a rare peripheral nerve tumor causing recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome

This is a rare case of a 42-year-old Hispanic male with macrodactyly who presented with recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) due to Lipofibromatous Hamartoma (LFH). A slowly growing mass in his right palm with pain and numbness, along with motor and sensory deficits in the median nerve distribution, was reported since the past year prior to visit. Previous open carpal tunnel release was performed at 16 years of age due to CTS without complications. The diagnosis of LFH was made based on ultrasound, electromyography test and physical examination. An extended open carpal tunnel release with transection of transverse ligament was performed. The 24-month postoperative evaluation showed complete resolution of symptoms. This report illustrates the management of a recurrent CTS due to LFH in a Hispanic adult patient with macrodactyly that was successfully treated with a carpal tunnel decompression.

Lipofibromatous hamartoma of the median nerve and its terminal branches: recurrent branch and ulnar proper palmar digital nerve of the thumb. A case report

Lipofibromatous hamartoma (LFH) is a rare benign tumor affecting the peripheral nerves, particularly the median nerve. It is characterized by fatty tissue infiltrating the nerve. We report the case of a patient with LFH of the median nerve, recurrent branch and ulnar proper palmar digital nerve of the thumb associated with macrodactyly. It was responsible for hypoesthesia of the thumb's hemi-pulp and secondary carpal tunnel syndrome confirmed by electroneuromyography (ENMG). Diagnosis was suspected based on the MRI findings. The patient underwent surgical treatment consisting of open carpal tunnel release combined with neurolysis of the ulnar proper palmar digital nerve of the thumb. The extraneural LFH tissue was excised also. Forty-five days after surgery, the patient no longer had nocturnal paresthesia. Ninety days after surgery, sensitivity of the thumb pulp was satisfactory. Symptoms of LFH are related to the increased volume of the affected nerve. In the absence of symptoms, abstention seems to be the best option. In case of neurological clinical signs or ENMG abnormality, surgical treatment is indicated to perform neurolysis and excision of extraneural LFH tissue. The diagnosis is based on histological examination of tissue samples.

Lipofibromatous Hamartoma of the Palmar Cutaneous Branch of the Median Nerve

Background Lipofibromatous hamartoma (LFH) is a benign tumor of peripheral nerves, most commonly reported in the median nerve, and often associated with carpal tunnel symptoms. There have been nearly 200 reported cases of LFH in the median nerve, but to the authors' knowledge, this 10-year-old girl represents the first case report involving the palmar cutaneous branch. Methods An excisional biopsy of the mass was performed via a standard midline palmar incision. The tumor was found encapsulating the palmar cutaneous branch, and thus it was sacrificed. Results The incision healed without issue, but the patient reported numbness in the palm of her hand as was expected. Conclusion LFH is a benign tumor, although it can cause symptoms due to mass effect. If the diagnosis is uncertain or a patient is symptomatic, excisional biopsy can be performed even if involving a cutaneous nerve.

Fibrolipomatous hamartomas of the median nerve in infancy and early childhood-imaging hallmarks, symptomatology, and treatment

A fibrolipomatous hamartoma (FLH) is a rare lesion leading to an enlargement of the affected nerve and commonly manifests at the median nerve. Symptomatic patients are mostly adolescents or adults. In children below 10 years, this entity is rather unknown and likely to be misdiagnosed. We report three children with FLH, two severely and one mildly symptomatic, all below 4 years of age at the time of first presentation. Two of three children were initially misdiagnosed. We provide a review of the pertinent clinical and radiological findings of the entity. Two patients had a characteristic macrodactyly. The two symptomatic children underwent surgical carpal tunnel decompression. The intervention relived their symptoms with a long-lasting effect. Surgical reduction of the hamartoma mass is not indicated and medical treatment non-existent.

CONCLUSION

A symptomatic FLH of the median nerve is rare in children below the age of 5 years but has to be kept in mind as differential diagnosis in case of wrist and/or palm swelling, macrodactyly, and pain in hand or forearm. MRI is diagnostic, with very characteristic features, which can also be identified in high-resolution nerve ultrasound. This article aims to increase the knowledge about the entity including the diagnostic features and the management options. What is Known: • Fibrolipomatous hamartomas (FLHs) of the median nerve are rare, possibly associated with macrodactyly and tissue growth at the wrist and thenar side of the palm. • An associated carpal tunnel syndrome typically occurs, if at all, in adulthood. What is New: • We describe two children below 4 years with symptomatic carpal tunnel syndrome, experiencing a long-lasting favorable outcome after carpal tunnel decompression. In this age group, only one other child undergoing surgery has been published so far. • MRI and high-resolution ultrasound demonstrate the characteristic features of FLHs and are the diagnostic modalities of choice. Biopsy is not recommended.

A relapsing macrodactyly

Lipofibromatous hamartoma is an uncommon benign tumor, usually unknown or misdiagnosed. We report the case of a 61-year-old patient presenting an acquired painful macrodactyly of the left thumb with paresthesia in the median nerve territory. Clinical examination reveals a tumefaction of the volar side of the wrist. She had a medical history of amputation of the forefinger for macrodactyly without any diagnosis. Paraclinical exploration guided us to the correct diagnosis; hypertrophic bone structures of the affected finger were detected on radiographs. The left median nerve appeared hypertrophic, with a fatty infiltration on the ultrasound exploration. These pathological findings revealed a late discovered lipofibromatous hamartoma of the median nerve, a rare entity often associated with macrodactyly and diagnosed in childhood. Therefore, we retrospectively made the same diagnosis for the amputated index finger with the analysis of her ancient paraclinical exams. Lipofibromatous hamartoma remains an obscure pathology and its treatment stays controversial.

Lipofibromatous hamartoma of the median nerve: a comprehensive review and systematic approach to evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment

Many modalities exist for diagnosing and treating lipofibromatous hamartoma (LFH), with no clear consensus. This is the first comprehensive study to review the existing literature on LFH of the median nerve and to suggest a systematic approach to its diagnosis and treatment. An electronic and manual search was conducted on Medline, Embase, Google Scholar, Current Contents, and Science Citation Index for original and review articles in English or French, from 1946 to November 2012. After 2 levels of screening, 106 references containing case reports were retained. Data extraction included patient demographics, clinical information, diagnostic modalities, treatment, and follow-up. A total of 180 cases were reported in the literature. One third of patients had associated macrodactyly (32%). Gender distribution is equal in LFH with or without macrodactyly, with most patients (71%) presenting before age 30 years. The main presenting symptom is an enlargement (88%) over the volar forearm, wrist, or hand, with or without digital hypertrophy, followed by paresthesia (39%). A soft, mobile, nontender, nonfluctuant mass with variable degree of compressive median neuropathy is found on physical examination. Biopsy, which reveals abundant mature fat cells and fibrous connective tissue infiltrating between nerve fascicles and the space between the epineurium and the perineurium, is not necessary because the pathognomonic features of the mass on magnetic resonance imaging offer an accurate diagnosis. Treatment of nerve compression symptoms and macrodactyly should be addressed separately. Carpal tunnel release is the mainstay of treatment for neuropathy, and ray or digital amputation, wedge osteotomy, middle phalangectomy with arthroplasty, and epiphysiodesis are suggested options in the management of macrodactyly. Based on our review of the literature, we propose an algorithm for the diagnosis and treatment of LFH of the median nerve with or without macrodactyly.

Progressive nerve territory overgrowth after subtotal resection of lipomatosis of the median nerve in the palm and wrist: a case, a review and a paradigm

BACKGROUND

Lipomatosis of the nerve (LN) is a rare disorder characterized by the massive enlargement of peripheral nerves, frequently accompanied by generalized fibroadipose proliferation and skeletal overgrowth. The treatment of this disorder remains controversial, in part because of the rarity and the variability of presentation. Some authors have advocated total resection of this benign lesion including the functioning nerve, while others recommend symptomatic decompression alone.

METHODS

We have been routinely following a 10-year-old boy for lipomatosis of the median nerve at the wrist noted shortly after birth. He underwent median nerve resection accompanied by sural nerve grafting at another institute. We review the literature on LN and the efficacy of nerve grafting.

RESULTS

Clinically, he made a good recovery, with mild loss of thenar function and relatively preserved sensation. Serial magnetic resonance imaging over 5 years has revealed progression of the LN at both coaptation sites, fibrofatty proliferation within the nerve grafts as well as distal digital nerves, and enlargement of a fibrous scar at the coaptation sites. This has never been reported in the 9 decades of study of this disease.

CONCLUSION

We present the first medium-term follow-up of a patient who underwent nerve sacrifice to attempt to cure the LN alongside a historical review of treatment. We believe that macroscopic gross total resection (i.e., microscopic subtotal resection) is insufficient in stopping the potential progression of this hamartomatous lesion because of the persistent effect of trophic factors.

Epidural neural fibrolipoma of the thoracic vertebral canal

Neural fibrolipoma is a benign tumor that most frequently infiltrates the median nerve. The authors describe a patient with spinal cord compression syndrome caused by a neural fibrolipoma. The tumor originated in the thoracic nerve at the T6–7 extradural level in the left conjugate foramen and extended into the thoracic cavity. Total removal was achieved by a combined posterior and costotransversectomy approach. Postoperatively, the patient's spinal cord compression syndrome resolved. No tumor recurrence has been observed in medium-term follow-up. This is the second case of an extradural spinal neural fibrolipoma to be reported in the literature.

Lipofibromatous hamartoma of the median nerve in patients with macrodactyly: diagnosis and treatment of a rare disease causing carpal tunnel syndrome

Lipofibromatous hamartoma is a very rare benign peripheral nerve tumour. It is mostly encountered in the proximal extremities of young adults, involving the median nerve in the majority of cases. We present two patients with macrodactyly and carpal tunnel syndrome caused by lipofibromatous hamartoma of the median nerve and discuss diagnosis and treatment of the disease. A 10-year-old girl with a congenital progressive macrodactyly of her right index finger presented with a slowly growing mass in her right palm and pain and numbness, along with motor and sensory deficits in the median nerve distribution. Treatment consisted of carpal tunnel release, epineurolysis and partial excision of the fibrofatty tissue. The second patient, a 25-year-old man presented with a swelling in his left palm and findings compatible with carpal tunnel syndrome. Intraoperatively, the lesion presented as sausage-shaped enlargement of the median nerve by fibrofatty tissue. After carpal tunnel release, a partial excision of the mass with epineurolysis was performed. In both patients, histology showed nerve bundles separated by abundant fibrofatty tissue. In the girl, a proliferation of dysplastic perineurial cells could be observed. The suspected diagnosis for patients with macrodactyly and clinical signs of carpal tunnel syndrome should be lipofibromatous hamartoma. A carefully taken history, physical examination, X-ray, and MRI are important for its correct diagnosis. The surgical management remains controversial. Treatment should include decompression of the median nerve at points of compression, partial excision of the fibrofatty tissue, and debulking of soft tissue. In some cases, an epineurolysis can be additionally performed.

Intraneural hemangioma of the median nerve: A case report

Hemangiomas of the median nerve are very rare and, so far, only ten cases of intraneural hemangioma of this nerve have been reported in the literature. We present a case of 14-year-old girl who had a soft tissue mass in the region of the left wrist with signs and symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. Total removal of the mass was achieved using microsurgical epineural and interfasicular dissection. The symptoms were relieved completely, after this procedure, without any neurologic deficit. On follow-up two years later, no recurrence was observed. Whenever a child or young adult patient presents with CTS the possibility of a hemangioma involving the median nerve should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis.