Carpal tunnel syndrome in cutaneous connective tissue disease: generalized morphea, lichen sclerosus, fasciitis, discoid lupus erythematosus, and lupus panniculitis

Abstract

Carpal tunnel syndrome developed concurrently with cutaneous connective tissue disease in five patients. The skin lesions varied from morphea, lichen sclerosus, fasciitis, and discoid lupus erythematosus to lupus panniculitis. Variable and transitory serologic and direct immunofluorescent findings were noted. In two cases, surgical specimens from carpal tunnel operations had lymphoid nodules. Treatment of the cutaneous connective tissue syndrome (antimalarials, four cases; corticosteroids, two cases) brought healing of the carpal tunnel syndrome as well as improvement of the skin lesions.