Acute carpal tunnel syndrome in haemophiliacs.

Acute median nerve compression at the wrist differs from the classical carpal tunnel syndrome in its aetiology and presentation. There is a rare association with haemophilia and such a case is reported in this paper. A review of the literature over the past 20 years revealed only nine cases. It is suggested that management should be conservative in the first instance, with factor VIII replacement continued for three to five days. Surgical decompression is indicated if symptoms fail to resolve in the first 24 hours.