Carpal tunnel syndrome heralding polymyalgia rheumatica

Presenting symptoms in polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) may be atypical. We report herein two old females who developed a bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome several months before the typical symptoms of PMR appeared. In both patients the diagnosis of PMR was overlooked and a surgical release of the median nerve was performed. PMR should be considered in elderly people who develop an acute or subacute carpal tunnel syndrome.