Lipofibromatous hamartoma of nerve

Seventeen cases of lipofibromatous hamartoma of nerve (14 with histologic confirmation) were treated between 1935 and 1985. One patient had bilateral involvement. Fourteen lesions were located in the upper extremity and four in the lower extremity. Twelve of the 18 lesions were associated with combined soft tissue and skeletal enlargement, or true macrodactyly. Three other lesions had soft tissue enlargement other than that noted intraneurally. Three patients were treated with carpal tunnel release alone and 14 with combined procedures to decrease the size of the affected part. Sensibility in the affected part often appeared unrelated to removal or preservation of hamartomatous nerve tissue. Complications related to nerve surgery included recurrence of carpal tunnel syndrome in one patient, recurrent soft tissue mass in one patient, and painful calcification of the involved tissues 20 years postoperatively in one patient.