Anomalous Radial Artery as an Incidental Finding During a Routine Carpal Tunnel Release

Background: Compression of the median nerve at the wrist, or carpal tunnel syndrome, is the most commonly recognized nerve entrapment syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome is usually caused by compression of the median nerve due to synovial swelling, tumor, or anomalous anatomical structure within the carpal tunnel. Methods: During a routine carpal tunnel decompression, a large vessel was identified within the carpal tunnel. Results: The large vessel was the radial artery. It ran along the radial aspect of the carpal tunnel just adjacent to the median nerve. Conclusions: The unusual presence of the radial artery within the carpal tunnel could be a contributing factor to the development of carpal tunnel syndrome. In this case, after surgical carpal tunnel release, all symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome resolved.