Case Report

Acute Progressive Bilateral Carpal Tunnel Syndrome After Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

Authors: Ihab I. El Hajj, MD, Mohamad I. Harb, MD, Raja A. Sawaya, MD

Abstract

This report describes the case of a 32-year-old male presenting with acute progressive bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome after a benign upper respiratory tract infection. Serial nerve conduction studies confirmed progressive entrapment of the median nerves in the carpal tunnel to the point of axonal damage. Surgical decompression relieved the entrapment, and nerve conduction studies improved.


Key Points


* Bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is a rare condition in young patients.


* Postinfectious carpal tunnel syndrome has been reported in a few cases.


* EMG is the gold standard in diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome.


* Treatment of acute carpal tunnel syndrome depends on the severity and progression of the entrapment.

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