Histopathology of compression of the superficial radial nerve in the forearm

A histologic assessment of the radial sensory nerve from a patient with nerve compression is reported. Histologic changes were confined to the region of the nerve compression. Connective tissue changes consisted of an increased thickness of the epineurium and perineurium. Nerve fiber changes consisted of Schwann cell pathology with marked thinning of the myelin noted in the myelinated fibers and evidence of degeneration and regeneration noted in the unmyelinated fiber population. Nerve fiber pathology was not uniform but varied from fascicle to fascicle in the compressed area.