ACUTE CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME IN HANSEN’S DISEASE

Two cases of acute carpal tunnel syndrome due to median nerve abscess as a consequence of Hansen’s disease are reported. Nerve abscess as a cause of acute carpal tunnel syndrome is rare. Journal of Hand Surgery (British and European Volume, 1994) 19B: 286-287 Carpal tunnel syndrome has been reported in association with a variety of conditions (Green, 1982). It is known to occur with leprosy (Lamb, 1981; Murley, 1964), and we report two cases. Case 1 A boy aged 16 years presented with severe tingling and numbness along the right index finger and thumb for about 1 week. Clinical examination revealed an oval swelling just proximal to the palmar crease, and this was associated with the thickening of the right median nerve and both ulnar nerves. Case