Carpal tunnel syndrome in temporal arteritis.

An 88 year old man presented with pain in the hands and wrists, associated with electrodiagnostic studies compatible with a carpal tunnel syndrome in the right wrist. Approximately seven months later he developed manifestations of bilateral temporal arteritis resulting in monocular blindness. Electrodiagnostic studies at this time confirmed the presence of a more severe carpal tunnel syndrome, now present bilaterally. We have been unable to find other case reports of carpal tunnel syndrome related to temporal arteritis. This association may be recognized more frequently if electrodiagnostic studies are performed in patients with temporal arteritis associated with pain in the hands and wrists.