Guyon's canal resulting from lipoma: A case report and review of the literature

INTRODUCTION: Compression of the ulnar nerve at the wrist is a rare condition. Clinical presentations of ulnar nerve compression at the wrist and hand can vary widely due to the complex anatomic course of ulnar nerve at the wrist. Lipoma is a common benign soft tissue tumor and rarely causes neuropathy. We present a rare case of Guyon's canal syndrome caused by lipoma. CASE REPORTS: We describe a case with acute ulnar nerve deficit. Clinical examination, EMG and MRI suggested Guyon's canal syndrome. Surgical exploration revealed a well-encapsulated fatty tumor within Guyon's canal. Histopathology demonstrated mature adipose tissue consistent with lipoma. Post-operative course was uneventful and the sensory symptom had subsided at the three month follow up. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: There are many etiologies of Guyon's canal syndrome which can be classified into groups. Symptoms of ulnar nerve compression at the wrist can vary depend on the location of the lesion. Treatment options depend on severity and duration of symptoms, previous treatment attempts, and underlying etiology. Lipoma is not a common cause of Guyon's canal with few case reports in the literature. Surgery to open and release the roof of Guyon's canal and excision of the lipoma can yield good outcome in most reports.