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Dermatitis-sympathetic dysfunction in carpal tunnel syndrome. A case report
A Fast1, S Parikh, E J Ducommun
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Nassau County Medical Center, East Meadow, New York 11554.
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research
|October 1, 1989
Summary
Carpal tunnel syndrome can cause warmer fingertips due to compromised median sympathetic fibers. This condition, exacerbated by water exposure, can lead to contact dermatitis.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common condition causing numbness in the hand.
- Occupational exposures, like frequent water and detergent use, may influence symptom presentation.
Observation:
- A patient with CTS developed contact dermatitis on median nerve-innervated fingertips.
- Median-innervated fingertips were warmer than ulnar-innervated fingertips.
- Lack of sweating was noted in median-innervated fingers.
Findings:
- Compression of the median nerve in CTS may affect sympathetic fibers, leading to vasodilation and increased local temperature.
- Increased fingertip temperature and dryness, combined with occupational irritants, likely caused contact dermatitis.
Implications:
- This case highlights a potential link between CTS, sympathetic dysfunction, and secondary dermatological conditions.
- Understanding these associations may improve diagnosis and management of hand numbness and dermatitis in occupational settings.