[Lipofibromatous hamartoma of the median nerve]

Lipofibromatous hamartoma of the nerve is a very uncommon, congenital, benign, peripheral nerve tumor. It is mostly encountered in the extremities of young adults, involving the median nerve in the majority of cases. The nerve tissue is infiltrated by diffuse fibroadipose tissue which dissociates the fasciculi without invasion. Patients with lipofibromatous hamartoma of the median nerve usually present with symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, usually accompanied by marked macrodactyly. Lipofibromatous hamartoma of the median nerve was encountered in an 18-year-old female patient, involving the wrist, causing macrodactyly of the index finger, and resulting in symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. Median nerve release and partial excision of the adipose tissue along the mass were performed. Fourteen months postoperatively, the patient had no complaints and the mass decreased in size without any motor or sensory functional losses.