J Korean Neurol Assoc.  1994 Mar;12(1):80-86.

Clinical Studies on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome:Review of 45 Case

• Seo DW
• Lee HB
• Jeon BS
• Oh HJ
• Na DR
• Park SH
• Roh JK
• Lee SB
• Myung HJ
• Lee KW

Abstract

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most commonly reported nerve entrapment sydrome, but its pathophysilogy is not well understood. Possible connections between carpal tunnel sydrome and exposure to excessive manual works were investigated in a number of studies but riot in Korean literatures. Thus we retrospectively studied 45 Korean patients with carpal tunnel sydrome in order to know the etiologic factors. Checking the history of excessive manual works and clinical aspects of disease including symptoms, signs, Phalen test, Tinel sign. Among 13 patients who had been operated, l0 patients had follow-up nerve conduction study (NCS) of median nerve and clinical evaluations two months later. The postoperative findings were compared with preoperative findings to know the clinical and electrophysiologic changes after operation. Twenty two patients (55.6%) were engaged in excessive manual works such as housewifery (manual washing), housemaid work, factory work, etc. Diabetes mellitus, pregnancy, and fracture of wrist joint. Were found in 1 patient (2.2%) respectively. As for sensory symptoms and signs, the most frequently affected finger was the middle finger. Phalen test was positive in 14 patients (31.3%) and Tinel sign in 24 patients (54.5%). Operation was done on 23 hands of 13 patientstin 10 patients both hands were operated; in 2 patients, left hand; and in 1 patients, right hand). Sensory symptoms disapperaed in 19 hands of 10 patients (82.6%). But in 4 hands ol 3 patients (in 10 patients both hands were operated; in 2 patients. Left hand: and in 1 patient. Right hand). Sensory symptoms disappeared in 19 hands of l0 patients (82.6 %), but in 4 hands of 3 patients (17.4%). Symptoms were persistent. Two months after operation. Nerve conduction study of median nerve was followed up in 19 harlds of 10 patients. The findings revealed that terminal latency improved in 14 hands of 8 patients(73.7%) and sensory nerve conduction velocity (finger-wrist segment) improved in 8 hands of 5 patients(42.1%). Ln summary, excess.

MeSH Terms

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Diabetes Mellitus
Fingers
Follow-Up Studies
Hand
Humans
Median Nerve
Nerve Compression Syndromes
Neural Conduction
Pregnancy
Retrospective Studies
Riots
Wrist Joint