An Unusual Presentation of Acute Calcific Tendinitis in the Hand

Abstract

Acute calcific tendinitis (ACT) is a relatively uncommon disorder of the hand and wrist. ACT is a wellknown condition of the shoulder, but it often goes unrecognized when occurring in the hand or wrist. The overall lack of familiarity along with the non-specific symptoms associated with ACT frequently leads to misdiagnosis or delay in diagnosis. We report a case of acute calcific tendinitis occurring in the carpal tunnel which is a rare presentation.

Acute Calcific Tendinitis of the Flexor Carpi Ulnaris Causing Acute Compressive Neuropathy of the Ulnar Nerve: A Case Report

“…ACT of the FCU is a potential cause of compression of the ulnar nerve at the level of Guyon's canal. A case of ACT compressing the median nerve in the carpal tunnel has been reported, 10 where surgical exploration was performed owing to diagnostic uncertainty, despite a slower onset of symptoms. Normally, ACT should be treated nonsurgically as it is self-limiting and resolves over the course of several weeks.…”

Enveloping calcification of flexor digitorum profundus tendon: a diagnosis easily missed

“…Sporadic case reports of calcification in the hand have been described in the literature 1–12. All these prior reports involve small, discrete, calcific masses in the flexor tendons.…”

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Due to Hydroxyapatite Crystal Deposition Disease

“…The diagnosis of gouty tophi as a cause of CTS is supported by elevated serum urate, which was normal in our case. Acute calcific tendinitis in the carpal tunnel resulting in carpal tunnel syndrome has been reported [4][5][6].…”

“…Space occupying lesions of carpal tunnel may be caused by tumors, gouty tophi, pseudogout [2], sequlae of distal radius fractures, and post traumatic osteophytes [3]. Hydroxyapatite crystal, the most abundant form of calcium in the human skeleton, may get deposited in the soft tissues around the wrist, and when deposited in the carpal tunnel may lead to carpal tunnel syndrome [4][5][6].…”