Carpal tunnel syndrome due to tophaceous gout.

Tophaceous gout is a recognized cause of carpal tunnel syndrome. Of 2649 carpal tunnel releases, 15 hands in 13 patients were identified with tophaceous gout in the carpal tunnel. The incidence of tophaceous gout in the carpal tunnel was 0.6%. Twelve of 13 patients were male, and 8 of 10 patients with a history of gout developed carpal tunnel syndrome despite adequate medical treatment. Thus, consideration should be given for tophi as a cause of carpal tunnel syndrome, especially in older men despite medical treatment for gout.