Preserved Sensation of the Palmar Radial Hand by the Superficial Branch of the Radial Nerve Following Median Nerve Laceration

Abstract

Multiple variations of sensory innervation patterns in the hand exist and are well-recognized in the literature. These aberrant patterns can lead to diagnostic challenges and complicate the treatment of nerve-injured patients. Therefore, it is important to understand these variations to avoid potential clinical errors in caring for these patients. To date, most descriptions of aberrant innervation patterns in the upper extremity involve interneural connections between branches of the median and ulnar nerves with a paucity of descriptions involving the radial nerve. This report discusses a case of the superficial branch of the radial nerve innervating the hand’s classically described median nerve sensory distribution after transection of the proximal median nerve. Key words: anatomic variations, anomalous innervation patterns, ballistic injury, hand sensation, median nerve injury