Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026

Metacarpal Small Incision for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Published on: April 5, 2024
Thrombosed persistent median artery causing carpal tunnel syndrome associated with bifurcated median nerve: A case
Martyn Salter1, Nitin Raj Sinha, Wojciech Szmigielski
1Uniradiology - Morley, Walter Road (Cnr Collier Road), WA, Australia.
Background:
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a sporadically occurring abnormality due to compression of median nerve. It is exceedingly rare for it to be caused by thrombosis of persistent median artery.
Case Report:
A forty two year old female was referred for ultrasound examination due to ongoing wrist pain, not relived by pain killers and mild paresthesia on the radial side of the hand. High resolution ultrasound and Doppler revealed a thrombosed persistent median artery and associated bifurcated median nerve. The thrombus resolved on treatment with anticoagulants.
Conclusions:
Ultrasound examination of the wrist when done for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome should preferably include looking for persistent median artery and its patency.
Related Concept Videos
Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation
Arteries of the Upper Limbs
Peripheral Artery Disease V: Postoperative Nursing Management
Peripheral Artery Disease I: Introduction
Peripheral Artery Disease III: Interprofessional Care
