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Synovial cyst and ulnar nerve entrapment. A case report
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research
|September 1, 1984
Summary
A rare case of rheumatoid arthritis caused progressive ulnar nerve compression due to an elbow synovial cyst. Surgical removal resolved the cyst and healed the nerve lesion.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Rheumatology
- Neurology
Background:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can cause various joint complications.
- Ulnar nerve compression is a known complication, but typically arises from intra-articular issues.
Observation:
- A 77-year-old male with RA presented with progressive ulnar nerve compression.
- Clinical examination revealed an extra-articular synovial cyst of the elbow as the cause.
- Conservative treatments were ineffective in reducing the cyst or halting nerve damage.
Findings:
- Surgical intervention, including elbow synovectomy and partial cystectomy, was performed.
- The procedure successfully removed the cyst and treated the ulnar nerve lesion.
- Post-operative recovery showed complete healing of the ulnar nerve and cyst disappearance.
Implications:
- This case highlights an uncommon cause of ulnar nerve compression in RA patients.
- Extra-articular synovial cysts should be considered in the differential diagnosis of ulnar neuropathy in RA.
- Surgical management can be effective for resolving such compressive lesions.