CALCIFIC MASS

A report o f a case in which a large calcific mass arising after a relatively minor trauma caused a reversible compression o f the median nerve at the wrist; another po int o f interest in this case was that the mass was shortl ived and resolved completely without any use o f surgical measures. Compression of the median nerve at the wrist producing carpal tunnel syndrome is a common disorder. The compressing element may be either within the canal, outside from the walls, or rarely from lesions within the nerve itself. Robbins (1963) studied the many causes of carpal tunnel syndrome. In about half of the cases no cause is apparent, and in these the compression is from thickening or fibrosis of the synovium, often as part of a rheumatoid process. Fracture and other joint injuries may play a role in the production of carpal tunnel syndrome but studies have shown that trauma is not a common cause of the disorder, (Phalen, 1972). Any condition that increases the volume of the contents of the carpal tunnel may produce the syndrome. Lipomas, haemangiomas, rheumatic nodules or ganglions have been found at operation in reported cases