[Proximal radial nerve compression syndrome. Treatment and results].

Radial palsy after a single brisk contraction of the triceps muscle was first described by Gowers in 1892. The cause of such paralyses, which also can be found after chronic overexposure, in the course of fracture healing and because of inflammation or tumors, has not been explained until 1969. Two mechanisms are of importance for pressure effects on the radial nerve; either the nerve can be compressed in the hiatus nervi radialis due to swellings or a direct lesion occurs. The latter can happen because of a sudden brisk muscle contraction or on account of chronic trauma caused by the lateral head of the triceps. Since 1969, twenty patients with such radial nerve compressions have received surgical treatment and follow-up in our clinic.