Compression neuropathy caused by a lipoma in the fourth finger: a case report

Lipomas are benign tumors originating from adipocytes, and less than 1% of lipomas occur in the fingers. While most lipomas can be managed with observation, those occurring in the fingers can cause symptoms and functional impairment due to the proximity of the subcutaneous fat layer to nerves and blood vessels. Herein, the authors report a case of a patient who experienced finger numbness due to a lipoma extending from the fourth proximal phalanx to the middle phalanx. In cases like this, where initial symptoms are present in the finger but the mass is not palpable, it is essential to actively pursue a diagnosis using ultrasonography or magnetic resonance imaging. Also, in cases of lipomas causing symptoms and functional impairment, early removal may be beneficial for alleviating the patient's symptoms.