Localized constrictive radial neuropathy in the absence of extrinsic compression: three cases.

Three patients, one with bilateral disease, experienced spontaneous onset of radial nerve dysfunction. Each demonstrated significant motor paralysis and had surgical exploration 3 weeks to 3 months after symptoms were first noted. All three patients showed well-localized hourglass constrictions of the radial nerve that could not be attributed to extrinsic compression. Each subsequently required tendon transfers for a persistent radial nerve palsy. Each showed electrical evidence of late recovery, although this was incomplete in two out of three.