[Compression neuropathy of the median nerve at the wrist joint caused by chondroma]

The case is reported of a 75-year old patient with diabetes, who suffered from a typical carpal tunnel syndrome, which was diagnosed by a neurologist. On the X-rays of hand and wrist there were no pathological findings. A small, clinically almost inapparent induration at the palmar and radial side of the wrist was found. Ultrasonography and CT-scan showed a tumor with compression of the median nerve. At operation the authors excised a tumor which on histological investigation was compatible with a soft tissue chondroma. Full recovery followed local excision with decompression of the median nerve. Soft tissue chondromas localised to the hand and wrist are extremely rare. A few cases have been described in the literature which led to a nerve compression.