An Anatomic Variant of Persistent Median Artery in Association with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

The persistent median artery can be a rare cause of carpal tunnel syndrome. We present an anatomic variant of this artery. A 47-year-old female patient with bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome was found to have bilateral patent, functional persistent median arteries (PMA) upon operative exploration. Unlike previous reports, the PMAs were not located dorsal to the flexor retinaculum (FR). Rather, the PMAs were interposed between the palmar aponeurosis and the FR. Accompanied by two venae comitantes, the aberrant arteries were positioned directly in line with our carpal tunnel incisions on both hands. Although rare, it is important for the surgeon to be aware of this anatomic variant to prevent inadvertent injury to what may be an important vascular supply to the distal median nerve.