Acute median nerve compression neuropathy from a foreign body in the forearm.

Acute compression of the median nerve in the forearm usually occurs from compartment syndrome. A case of acute compression neuropathy of the median nerve from a foreign body, where there was no evidence of compartment syndrome, is reported. The diagnosis was made from the patient's symptoms and radiographs. Early recognition and decompression of the forearm with removal of the foreign body led to full recovery.