[Compression of the posterior branch of the radial nerve by a benign tumour of the elbow region. Report of three cases (author's transl)].

The authors report three cases of a rare disorder : compression of the posterior motor branch of the radial nerve (ramus profundus n. radialis) by a benign tumor of the region of the elbow, in one case by a lipoma, in the other cases by a pseudocyst. Surgical removal was successful in all three cases. The authors review the literature concerning compression of the posterior interosseous nerve (ramus profundus n. radialis) by lipomas and pseudocysts. Apart from two cases treated at a late stage, surgery permitted complete functional recovery in all the other published cases. This emphasises the interest of early radiological diagnosis and of routine operation even the etiology does not appear obvious, especially as surgery is beneficial in the treatment of the tumour itself.