A persistent median artery is a rare anatomical variant found in approximately 10%
of the population. Carpal tunnel syndrome due to a thrombosed persistent median artery
is exceptionally rare. A 29-year-old professional hockey player presented with a 2
months history of hand pain and intermittent paresthesias without vascular symptoms.
Magnetic resonance imaging and angiography demonstrated a 2-cm thrombosis in a persistent
median artery at the level of the carpal tunnel, with otherwise normal vascular anatomy.
He was treated with surgical excision of the thrombus and carpal tunnel decompression.
The patient’s symptoms resolved rapidly and he was able to return to sport without
restrictions. Incidental imaging performed several months after surgery demonstrated
a normal vascular pattern in the treated hand.
Key words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 13, 2021
Accepted:
January 6,
2021
Received:
February 16,
2020
Footnotes
No benefits in any form have been received or will be received related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article.
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© 2022 by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. All rights reserved.