Ganglion Cyst: A Culprit for Unilateral Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (Common, Yet Under-Reported)

Dr. Debashis Nanda, Dr. Chinmaya Chiranjibi Samal, Dr. Sidhartha Patra

Abstract: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is most commonly idiopathic and typically presents bilaterally. When symptoms are unilateral, however, an underlying etiological factor should be considered. Among the various structural causes, ganglion cysts represent the most common tumors of the wrist and are frequently cited as potential contributors to CTS. Despite this, carpal tunnel syndrome secondary to ganglion cysts remains underreported in the literature. Clinically, affected patients usually present with wrist swelling and pain associated with paraesthesia in the median nerve distribution. Physical examination commonly reveals positive Tinel's sign and Phalen's manoeuvre. Electromyography (EMG), although useful for functional assessment, should be supplemented with imaging- preferably ultrasonography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)- to confirm the presence and location of space-occupying lesions prior to surgical intervention. While endoscopic carpal tunnel release has gained popularity, it provides limited visualization of the carpal tunnel and is therefore not ideal when a mass lesion is suspected. Open carpal tunnel release with simultaneous excision of the ganglion cyst remains the gold standard, offering excellent functional recovery and long-term prognosis. We report the case of a 52-year-old woman with unilateral carpal tunnel syndrome caused by a ganglion cyst, emphasizing the characteristic clinical presentation, the diagnostic value of imaging in unilateral CTS, and the benefits of early identification and appropriate surgical management.

Keywords: Carpal tunnel syndrome, ganglion cyst, wrist, hand surgery, Plastic surgery

How to Cite?: Dr. Debashis Nanda, Dr. Chinmaya Chiranjibi Samal, Dr. Sidhartha Patra, "Ganglion Cyst: A Culprit for Unilateral Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (Common, Yet Under-Reported)", Volume 14 Issue 12, December 2025, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1913-1916, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR251222201239, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR251222201239