Carpal canal lipoma causing lameness in a dog

D. Szabo; T. Ryan; H. W. Scott

doi:10.3415/VCOT-10-07-0107

Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Table of Contents

Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2011; 24(04): 299-302
DOI: 10.3415/VCOT-10-07-0107

Case Report

Schattauer GmbH

Carpal canal lipoma causing lameness in a dog

Authors

D. Szabo

¹Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists, Ringwood, United Kingdom
T. Ryan

¹Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists, Ringwood, United Kingdom
H. W. Scott

¹Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists, Ringwood, United Kingdom

Abstract

PDF Download

Summary

Carpal canal syndrome, or carpal tunnel syndrome, is the most common entrapment neuropathy in humans and is caused by compression of the median nerve as it courses through the carpal canal. A similar condition has been reported in horses, however there have not been any reported cases of a dog showing lameness secondary to compression within the carpal canal. This report describes the case of a dog exhibiting lameness secondary to a lipoma within the carpal canal. Lameness improved after surgical removal of the mass. This case highlights the need to consider compression of the tendons and nerves in the carpal canal as a cause of forelimb lameness in dogs when pain is localised to the carpus.

Keywords

Lipoma - carpal canal - carpal tunnel - lameness

PDF (126 kb)

References

References
1 Kang HJ, Jung SH, Yoon HK. et al. Carpal tunnel syndrome caused by space occupying lesions. Yonsei Med J 2009; 50: 257-261.
2 Textor JA, Nixon AJ, Fortier LA.. Tenoscopic release of the equine carpal canal. Vet Surg 2003; 32: 278-284.
3 Evans HE.. Arthrology. In: Miller’s Anatomy of the Dog. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Saunders; 1993: pg. 241.
4 Turan E, Erden H.. Computed tomography and morphometry of the carpal canal in the dog. Ann Anat 2003; 185: 173-178.
5 Turan E, Bolukbasi O.. Evaluation of possible carpal tunnel syndrome in dogs. Vet Rec 2004; 155: 122-124.
6 Dunn JK, Gerber K.. Diagnostic Cytology. In Villiers E, Blackwood L. editors BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Clinical Pathology. 2nd ed. Gloucester: British Small Animal Veterinary Association; 2005: pg. 320.
7 Sjöström L, Kvist H, Cederblad Å. et al. Determination of total adipose tissue and body fat in women by computed tomography, ⁴⁰K, and tritium. Am J Physiol (Endocrin Metab) 1986; 250: E736-E745.
8 Babins DM, Lubahn JD.. Palmar lipomas associated with compression of the median nerve. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1994; 76: 1360-1362.
9 Bagatur AE, Yalcinkaya M.. Unilateral carpal tunnel syndrome caused by an occult palmar lipoma. Orthopedics 2009; 32: 777.
10 Kremchek TE, Kremchek EJ.. Carpal tunnel syndrome caused by flexor tendon sheath lipoma. Orthop Rev 1988; 17: 1083-1085.
11 Sonoda H, Takasita M, Taira H. et al. Carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger wrist caused by a lipoma arising from flexor tenosynovium: a case report. J Hand Surg [Am] 2002; 27: 1056-1058.
12 Vekris MD, Lykissas MG, Beria AE.. Median nerve compression secondary to lipoma arising from flex-or tenosynovium: a case report. Hand Surg 2007; 12: 83-86.
13 Flores LP, Carneiro JZ.. Peripheral nerve compression secondary to adjacent lipomas. Surg Neurol 2007; 67: 258-263.
14 Thomson MJ, Withrow SJ, Dernell WS. et al. Intermuscular lipomas of the thigh region in dogs: 11 cases. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1999; 35: 165-167.
15 Walker FO, Cartwright MS, Wiesler ER. et al. Ultra-sound of nerve and muscle. Clin Neurophysiol 2004; 115: 495-507.
16 Turan E, Ozsunar Y, Yildirim IG.. Ultrasonographic examination of the carpal canal in dogs. J Vet Sci 2009; 10: 77-80.
17 McEntee MC, Thrall DE.. Computed tomographic imaging of infiltrative lipoma in 22 dogs. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2001; 42: 221-225.
18 Bergman PJ, Withrow SJ, Straw RC. et al. Infiltrative lipoma in dogs: 16 cases (1981–1992). J Am Vet Med Assoc 1994; 205: 322-324.