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Occupationally Acquired Vibratory Angioedema with Secondary Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- MARK H. WENER, M.D.;
- W. JAMES METZGER, M.D.; and
- RONALD A. SIMON, M.D.
Abstract
After several years of occupational exposure to vibration, a man developed episodic vibratory hand swelling, erythema, and pruritus. He subsequently developed symptoms compatible with carpal tunnel syndrome, but his median nerve conduction velocity remained normal. After experimental vibration of the forearm, plasma histamine levels in the ipsilateral antecubital vein rose in association with localized angioedema and slowed median nerve conduction velocity. There was no evidence of other causes of angioedema. Occupational exposure to vibration may predispose to the development of vibratory angioedema, which may predispose to intermittent compression neuropathy.
Article and Author Information
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▸From the Department of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa; and the Division of Allergy and Immunology, Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation, La Jolla, California.
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Grant support: grants AI10386 and RR0083, National Institutes of Health (Dr. Simon). Dr. Wener was a recipient of an Arthritis Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship when the manuscript was prepared.
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▸Requests for reprints should be addressed to Mark H. Wener, M.D.; RG-20, Rheumatology, University of Washington Hospital; Seattle, WA 98195.
- ©1983 American College of Physicians
