Musculocutaneous Nerve Compression by a Humeral Osteophyte: An Unusual and Difficult-to-Diagnose Cause of Peripheral Neuropathy

Isolated neuropathy of the musculocutaneous nerve is an uncommon condition, and compression by a bony outgrowth represents an exceptionally rare cause. We describe the case of a 58-year-old man who presented with motor and sensory deficits consistent with musculocutaneous nerve dysfunction. Cross-sectional imaging and nerve conduction studies revealed a proximal humeral osteophyte responsible for nerve compression. The patient underwent surgical excision of the osteophyte, which resulted in a favorable postoperative outcome. This case highlights the rarity of osteophyte-related nerve compression and underscores the importance of considering an osseous etiology in the differential diagnosis of atypical peripheral neuropathies. Imaging modalities such as CT and MRI, in combination with electrophysiological testing, play a central role in lesion identification. Surgical management offers the potential for meaningful functional recovery.