[Disfiguring ulcer forms of the carpal tunnel syndrome]

On the basis of 3 personal cases and 13 cases in the literature, the authors carried out a study of these rare forms of the carpal tunnel syndrome. The syndrome itself generally has a unique character marked on the etiologic level by a frequent occurrence of unilateral and post-traumatic forms, and on the clinical level by the existence of severe sensitivo-motor, vasomotor and trophic problems; it rarely resembles Raynaud's syndrome. The cutaneous lesion most often appears as a torpid ulceration located on the forefinger and/or the second finger and involving the palmar surface or the sub-ungual region of the 3rd phalanx. Cutting of the ligament of the middle finger, whether or not accompanied by an additional surgical act, is almost always followed by a regression of the classical signs and the curing of the ulcerations.