A case of cheiralgia paresthetica secondary to diabetes mellitus

The anatomy and etiology of cheiralgia paresthetica are discussed in the light of a case of this syndrome in a diabetic. The variability of the area affected can be ascribed to anatomical variants in the innervation of the hand (“ulnar intervention” in the radial sensory distribution). In patients in whom mechanical causes have been excluded diabetes mellitus should be considered as a possible cause.