Cubital tunnel syndrome associated with previous ganglion cyst excision in the elbow: a case report

• Published in: Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow Vol. 27; no. 1; pp. 131 - 135
• Main Authors: Shin, Woojin, Kang, Taebyeong, Han, Jeongwoon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 대한견주관절의학회 01-03-2024; Korean Shoulder and Elbow Society; 대한견주관절학회
• Subjects: anterior transposition; Case Report; cubital tunnel syndrome; ganglion; ulnar nerve palsy; 정형외과학; Ulnar nerve palsy; Cubital tunnel syndrome; Anterior transposition; Ganglion
• ISSN: 2383-8337; 2288-8721
• DOI: 10.5397/cise.2022.01102

Cubital tunnel syndrome refers to compression neuropathy caused by pressure on the ulnar nerve pathway around the elbow. A 63-year-old male patient visited the clinic complaining of decreased sensation and weakness in his left ring finger and little finger, stating that the symptoms first began 6 months prior. He had undergone surgery to remove a ganglion cyst from his left elbow joint about 5 years prior in Mongolia. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a cystic mass located at the previous surgical site, which was compressing the ulnar nerve within the cubital tunnel. Ulnar nerve decompression and anterior transposition were performed, and the cystic mass was excised. Upon pathological examination, the mass was diagnosed as a ganglion cyst. The patient’s symptoms including sensory dysfunction and weakness improved over the 1-year follow-up period. This report describes a rare case of ganglion cyst recurrence compressing the ulnar nerve in the cubital tunnel after previous ganglion cyst excision.