Painful Subacute Cubital Tunnel Syndrome Because of an Intra-Cubital Tunnel Ganglion Cyst: A Case Report

Mahmoud Farzan; Abbas Abdoli; Mohammad Sadeghian; Mitra Ashrafi; Mahsa Akhtarzadeh; Shahram Akrami; Amir Reza Farhoud

doi:10.18502/jost.v8i4.10458

Mahmoud Farzan Professor, Department of Orthopedics, School of Medicine, Joint Reconstruction Research Center, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran Iran
Abbas Abdoli Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopedics, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi Hospital, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
Mohammad Sadeghian Orthopedic Surgeon, Joint Reconstruction Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran Iran
Mitra Ashrafi General Practitioner, Joint Reconstruction Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran Iran
Mahsa Akhtarzadeh Resident, Department of Orthopedics, School of Medicine, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran Iran
Shahram Akrami Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopedics, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi Hospital, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
Amir Reza Farhoud Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopedics, School of Medicine, Joint Reconstruction Research Center, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jost.v8i4.10458

Keywords: Ganglion Cyst; Cubital Tunnel Syndrome; Ulnar Nerve

Abstract

Background: Entrapment of the ulnar nerve in the cubital tunnel occurs as the second most common compression neuropathy of the upper limb. Although the usual etiology is idiopathic or following cubitus valgus, a compressing mass can be a rare cause and should be considered in atypical presentation.

Case Report: A 45-year-old male patient presented with subacute onset of cubital tunnel syndrome that progressed rapidly and was associated with significant pain. An intra-canal ganglion cyst was found during surgical decompression of the ulnar nerve.

Conclusion: Diagnosis of intra-cubital canal mass should be considered when sudden onset and rapid progression of the cubital tunnel syndrome and dramatic pain coincide. Imaging modalities like ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be helpful to reach the correct diagnosis before the surgery.