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Case Reports
. 2020 Mar 15;12(3):e7275.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.7275.

A Transverse Carpal Muscle Causing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Konstantinos Natsis  1 , Maria Piagkou  2 , Georgios Koimtzis  3 , Aristeidis H Zibis  4
Affiliations
Case Reports

A Transverse Carpal Muscle Causing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Konstantinos Natsis et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Accessory and atypical muscles of the upper limb are common, whereas symptomatic variations presenting with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) are rare. A rare unilateral accessory transverse carpal muscle located palmar to the transverse carpal ligament is described. The accessory muscle, associated with CTS clinical manifestations in a 38-year-old Greek male worker, can be quite problematic during CTS operation. The current case emphasizes the importance of meticulous knowledge of the variable anatomy of the carpal tunnel (CT) area, since the accessory muscles may be accompanied by ectopic motor branches and a high risk of iatrogenic injury. Recognition and careful evaluation of accessory muscles may enhance a surgeon's ability to carry out a safer and successful CT approach.

Keywords: accessory innervation; accessory muscle; anomalous muscle; carpal tunnel syndrome; compression; neuropathy; upper extremity.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. The nerve conduction study (NCS) showing median nerve neuroapraxia
MCS - motor conduction study
Figure 2
Figure 2. The nerve conduction study (NCS) showing median nerve neuroapraxia
SCS - sensory conduction study
Figure 3
Figure 3. The accessory transverse carpal muscle (TCM)
** palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve, FR- flexor retinaculum
Figure 4
Figure 4. The accessory transverse carpal muscle (TCM)
** palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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