Acta neurochirurgica
-
Acta neurochirurgica · Jun 2013
Review Case ReportsProgressive nerve territory overgrowth after subtotal resection of lipomatosis of the median nerve in the palm and wrist: a case, a review and a paradigm.
Lipomatosis of the nerve (LN) is a rare disorder characterized by the massive enlargement of peripheral nerves, frequently accompanied by generalized fibroadipose proliferation and skeletal overgrowth. The treatment of this disorder remains controversial, in part because of the rarity and the variability of presentation. Some authors have advocated total resection of this benign lesion including the functioning nerve, while others recommend symptomatic decompression alone. ⋯ We present the first medium-term follow-up of a patient who underwent nerve sacrifice to attempt to cure the LN alongside a historical review of treatment. We believe that macroscopic gross total resection (i.e., microscopic subtotal resection) is insufficient in stopping the potential progression of this hamartomatous lesion because of the persistent effect of trophic factors.