Schwannoma of the median nerve mimicking carpal tunnel syndrome in a pregnant patient. Case report

Med Ultrason. 2016 Dec 5;18(4):521-523. doi: 10.11152/mu-883.

Abstract

In patients with symptoms of a peripheral neuropathy especially during pregnancy, use of imaging techniques such as Ultrasound (US) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) may be essential for the diagnostic accomplishment. A 30-weekspregnant diabetic female attending US evaluation due to intermittent hand pain, numbness, and weakness bilaterally. Although, the US evaluation revealed the median nerve (MN) normal size, echogenicity and echo-texture within the right carpal tunnel; the US assessment applied proximally to the carpal tunnel, revealed a hypoechoic tumor-like mass and increased MN cross section area. In transverse view, the MN was detected as an eccentric, hypoechoic structure compressed by the aforementioned mass. A presence of MN schwannoma or neurofibroma was suspected. US has been proved to be extremely useful to determine location, extent as well as the type of nerve lesion.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / diagnostic imaging*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Median Neuropathy / diagnostic imaging*
  • Neurilemmoma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / diagnostic imaging*
  • Ultrasonography / methods