Intraneural median nerve pressure in carpal tunnel syndrome

In order to determine whether endoscopic carpal tunnel release decompresses the median nerve, we measured the intraneural median nerve pressure pre- and postoperatively in 55 hands. The median nerve pressure was significantly reduced postoperatively.     

Tumors and tumor-like lesions mimicking carpal tunnel syndrome

Introduction

Tumors and tumor-like lesions in or around the median nerve are uncommon causes of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The purpose of the present study is to highlight the diagnostic approach and point out the profile of patients with CTS and potential underlying pathology.

Materials and methods

Twenty-eight patients with 32 affected hands had CTS correlated to a mass in or around the nerve. In 20 hands a palpable mass was present. Diagnostic workup included nerve conduction studies, ultrasound and/or MRI. Pre- and postoperative examination included two-point discrimination (2PD), grip strength, visual analogue scale (for pain) (VAS) and disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) scores.

Results

Twelve of 28 patients were young (range 9–38 years) and 10 were male. Nerve compression was due to 27 extraneural lesions (8 abnormal muscles, 5 lipomas, 7 tenosynovitis, 4 vascular tumors, 2 ganglia, 1 Dupuytren’s fibromatosis) and five intraneural tumors (three schwannomas, one neurofibroma, one sarcoma). Nerve decompression and excision of extraneural lesions were performed in all cases whereas in intraneural tumors, decompression was followed by excision in most cases and nerve grafting in one. Mean follow-up was 22 months (12–105 months). Extraneural masses were associated with a better outcome than nerve tumors. The mean postoperative VAS/DASH scores were 0.3/16.2 in extraneural lesions and 2.5/22 in intraneural lesions. The 2PD improved gradually in all patients (mean pre- and postoperative 12 and 5 mm). The mean grip strength increased from 28 to 31.3 kg postoperatively.

Conclusions

Although rare, the surgeon should include in the differential diagnosis of CTS the unusual cause of tumors and tumor-like lesions, especially when the patients’ profile is not typical (young, male, no repetitive stress or manual labor). In addition, the presence of a palpable mass at the distal forearm or palm dictates the need for imaging studies. The extent, location and aggressiveness of the mass will determine the approach and type of procedure.     

Pre- and postoperative electromyographic evaluations in the carpal tunnel syndrome

Twenty-five cases of carpal tunnel syndrome in 20 patients were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively by electromyography. Clinical improvement resulted in all cases following decompression of the median nerve, and only in a few instances did mild symptoms persist. Distal motor conduction time im proved postoperatively in 24 cases studied, 19 of which returned to normal range. Most of the obvious improvement occurred within the first 3 months and further improvement could be observed as late as 36 months. Although no definite correlation could be established between the preoperative severity of the carpal tunnel syndrome and the postoperative clinical and electrical im provement, there was a definite evidence of better recovery in the younger age group. There was a greater range of improvement and a return closer to normal postoperatively in cases with severe preoperative distal latency. All cases ex amined after 24 months had reached normal values.     

MRI evaluation of carpal tunnel morphology after carpal tunnel release by a retinaculum lengthening technique

AIM: The benefits of maintaining the pulley function of the flexor retinaculum in carpal tunnel release by lengthening or reconstructing it have been described. Quantitative MR imaging was used to investigate the morphological changes after open carpal tunnel release by such a retinaculum lengthening technique. METHOD: Ten patients had bilateral carpal tunnel MRI pre- and postoperatively. The MRI examinations were performed with a 1.5 Tesla imaging system and wrist coils. Carpal tunnel volume, carpal arch width, median nerve position and flexor tendon position in relation to the hamate-trapezial axis were recorded . RESULTS: Like other methods of carpal tunnel release with complete division of the flexor retinaculum, the retinaculum lengthening technique showed a significant postoperative increase of carpal tunnel volume. Carpal arch width increased only slightly. There was a significant palmar displacement of the median nerve but not of the flexor tendons. CONCLUSION: The findings support the hypothesis that maintenance of the pulley function of the retinaculum may lead to an early postoperative recovery of grip strength. In spite of some difficulties in application quantitative MR imaging may be a useful tool in evaluating the carpal tunnel morphology.     

Measurement of pressure in the carpal canal before and after endoscopic management of carpal tunnel syndrome

In forty-six patients who had carpal tunnel syndrome, a technique of continuous infusion, given under local anesthesia and without a pneumatic tourniquet, was used to measure pressures in the carpal canal before and after endoscopic release of the transverse carpal ligament (retinaculum flexorum manus). Pressures were similarly measured in sixteen subjects in a control group. The mean preoperative pressures were significantly higher in the patients who had carpal tunnel syndrome than in the patients in the control group when the pressures were measured under four conditions: with the wrist in the resting position, with active grip, and with maximum passive extension and flexion of the wrist. The mean pressures improved significantly postoperatively and were in the range of values that were found under each condition for the control group. Measurement of pressure in the carpal canal before and after operation may be useful in diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome and in determining the effectiveness of endoscopic management.     

Segmental carpal canal pressure in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome

PURPOSE: To clarify which part of the median nerve is the most compressed and to compare carpal canal pressure with the latency of the sensory nerve potential and the duration of symptoms. METHODS: Fifteen patients with idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome were studied using a pressure guidewire system to record canal pressure. The wire was introduced from the distal end of the carpal canal to 2 cm proximal to the distal wrist crease (DWC) and then retracted in 5-mm increments using an image intensifier to guide the progress. A nerve conduction study was performed, and all patients were asked how long the symptoms lasted. RESULTS: Carpal canal pressure was significantly higher 5 to 15 mm distal to the DWC. The most compressed point was 10 mm distal to the DWC, with a pressure of 44.9 +/- 26.4 mm Hg. The correlation coefficient between the highest canal pressure and the latency was 0.393 and between highest canal pressure and duration of symptoms was 0.402. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that the most compressed part of the median nerve in the carpal canal is 10 mm distal to the DWC. The carpal canal pressure was related to the latency and to the duration of symptoms.     

Two cases of endoscopic management of carpal tunnel syndrome in macrodactyly patients.

Some cases of carpal tunnel syndrome in macrodactyly patients have been reported. We performed endoscopic carpal canal release on two unilateral macrodactyly patients suffering from bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. We measured carpal canal pressure before performing endoscopic surgery using the Universal Subcutaneous Endoscope system to confirm median nerve compression. We diagnosed median nerve compression in each patient due to the high preoperative carpal canal pressure. Carpal canal pressure immediately decreased to within normal range following release of both the flexor retinaculum and the distal holdfast fibres of the flexor retinaculum. One patient recovered to within normal in terms of sensory disturbances and abductor pollicis brevis muscle strength. The other patient showed improvement in terms of sensory disturbance, however, muscle power did not recover because this patient had suffered from carpal tunnel syndrome for ten years. Endoscopic carpal canal release and decompression surgery was effective for carpal tunnel syndrome in both macrodactyly patients.     

Intrasurgical use of steroids on carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomized,prospective, double-blind controlled study

We studied steroid irrigation of the median nerve during surgical decompression in carpal tunnel syndrome through a prospective randomized controlled study. After sample size calculation, 20 patients were randomized into two groups: one group had a release of the transverse carpal ligament alone, and the other one had a release associated with steroid irrigation of the median nerve. The patients were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively at 15 days and 2 months through a widely used and validated patient-oriented measure (the Carpal tunnel questionnaire) and through neurophysiological evaluation. The follow-up assessment showed significant differences in the postoperative evolution between the two groups with regard to symptoms: symptoms were less in the steroid-treated group both at 15 days (p>0.035; z=−2.9) and at two months (p<0.005; z=−2.8). This suggests that steroid irrigation of the median nerve offers benefit compared with the transverse carpal ligament release alone. This study provides clear evidence of the use-fulness of the procedure in the post-operative evolution of symptoms.     

Effect of wrist position on power grip and key pinch strength following carpal tunnel decompression

Power grip and thumb key pinch strength were measured pre- and immediately postoperatively in 30 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome while the wrist was in flexion and extension. The carpal tunnel decompression was performed under local infiltration with 1% lignocaine. Grip strength decreased more in wrist flexion than in wrist extension. No difference was found in thumb pinch strength. The authors conclude that some of the immediate postoperative loss of grip strength in wrist flexion can be attributed to prolapse of flexor tendons out of the carpal tunnel in this position.     

Is complete release of all volar carpal canal structures necessary for complete decompression in endoscopic carpal tunnel release?

This study investigated the need to completely divide the flexor retinaculum to achieve full decompression of the median nerve in the carpal canal, using carpal canal pressure measurements at the mid-point and/or the proximal one-third of the flexor retinaculum to analyse the degree of decompression after release of successive lengths of the flexor retinaculum from the distal hold-fast fibres to its proximal margin. Pressure measurements were taken at each operative step in the resting hand position and during active power gripping. The pressure measurements indicated that decompression of the carpal canal was achieved both at rest and on active gripping after complete division of the flexor retinaculum. However, pressure measurements indicated that complete decompression had not been achieved during active power gripping with the proximal one-third of the flexor retinaculum intact. These results demonstrate the need for complete release of the full length of the flexor retinaculum, including the distal hold-fast fibres.     

在内窥镜视下治疗腕管综合征45例报告

目的：介绍利用内窥镜从腕管内直接切断腕横韧带，解除其对正中神经压迫的手术方法。方法：应用ＵＳＥｓｙｓｔｅｍ（ｕｎｉｖｅｒｓａｌｓｕｂｃｕｔａｎｅｏｕｓｅｎｄｏｓｃｏｐｅｓｙｓｔｅｍ，ＵＳＥ）３０度斜视镜电视录象系统、压力测定器，将外套管插入腕管内，在内视镜下切断腕横韧带。结果：临床应用４６例５２腕，４３例疗效满意，３例无改善。手术时间平均为１０分钟，出血少，能安全地达到腕管完全开放。结论：与常规手术相比，皮肤切口小，组织创伤轻，手术时间短，缩短了住院时间，降低了医疗费用     

Surgical options for recalcitrant carpal tunnel syndrome with perineural fibrosis

Surgical release of the transverse carpal ligament for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is, in general, a very successful procedure. Some patients, however, fail this standard release and have persistent or recurrent symptoms. Such recalcitrance may relate to incomplete release but more often relates to perineural or intraneural fibrosis of the median nerve. While there is no good treatment for intraneural fibrosis, numerous procedures have evolved in an attempt to treat perineural fibrosis which restricts nerve gliding. These include procedures to isolate the nerve from scar as well as procedures to bring neovascularization to the median nerve. This review describes the various surgical treatment options for recalcitrant CTS as well as their reported outcomes.     

Surgical release of the carpal tunnel

A thorough understanding of the normal anatomy and possible anomalies that may exist is important for the surgeon managing median nerve compression at the wrist. Given the high incidence of anatomic variability occurring in and around the carpal canal, open decompression of the median nerve is the preferred surgical technique for treating carpal tunnel syndrome. This approach provides complete visualization of the region, enabling the surgeon to decompress the nerve thoroughly, identify and treat anatomic abnormalities, and protect important neurovascular structures. Open carpal tunnel release is a safe and reliable operation with a high rate of functional improvement and patient satisfaction.     

Carpal tunnel syndrome in hemophilia

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurring as a complication of hemophilia is documented in the literature. Most reports, however, indicate that the condition can be relieved by splinting and replacement therapy. Two cases of carpal tunnel syndrome in hemophiliacs are presented. In one patient, replacement therapy was successful in relieving the condition. However, in the other patient, decompression of the carpal tunnel and internal neurolysis of the median nerve were carried out after replacement therapy failed. To our knowledge, this is the first time that intraneural bleeding in the nerve has been documented as a cause of peripheral neuropathy in hemophilia. Surgical release of the carpal canal together with the epineurectomy and internal neurolysis resulted in complete recovery.     

Atraumatic acute carpal tunnel syndrome in a patient taking dabigatran

Acute carpal tunnel syndrome is an uncommon diagnosis most often related to blunt trauma requiring immediate surgical decompression to avoid serious sequelae. Patients who present with bleeding-related acute carpal tunnel syndrome tend to have severe pain, rapid onset of swelling, and neurologic symptoms that appear early and progress rapidly secondary to mass effect. Acute carpal tunnel syndrome can occur in anticoagulated patients spontaneously or after minor trauma.This article describes a case of a 57-year-old man with progressive pain and paresthesias in the median nerve distribution after reaching for a picture frame. He was taking dabigatran, a direct thrombin inhibitor, for atrial fibrillation. He developed acute carpal tunnel syndrome secondary to spontaneous bleeding into the carpal canal and flexor tenosynovium with hematoma formation requiring surgical decompression. He reported immediate pain relief postoperatively, had no further bleeding complications, and regained full median nerve function within 2 months.Dabigatran has gained recent popularity for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. Unlike warfarin, its use does not involve regular laboratory monitoring or dose titration. The risks and benefits of dabigatran should be considered carefully by the prescriber, particularly in patients taking medications that may alter its metabolism. Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may have effects similar to dabigatran and may increase the risk of bleeding problems. Should acute carpal tunnel syndrome occur, the authors recommend prompt surgical decompression rather than conservative management. The modification of anticoagulant therapy should be considered on a case-by-case basis.     

Recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome--caused by an inadequate surgical technique?

The carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common disease, and the decompression of the median nerve is one of the most often performed procedures in surgery. Within our patients from the 1. 12. 1987 to the 1. 12. 1988 we found 16 cases of recurrent CTS. Intraoperatively in more than 60% of the cases we could detect some sort of subluxation or even luxation of the median nerve and severe scarring involving the median nerve and the regenerated transverse carpal ligament in all cases. Considering the anatomy of the transverse carpal ligament, to guide the median nerve and the flexor tendon within the carpal tunnel, as well as serving as origin for the thenar musculature, especially for the opposition, one concludes that the simple dissection of the carpal ligament should be avoided. For the past 4 years we therefore have been performing a widening Z-plasty and reconstruction of the transverse carpal ligament, for the primary CTS as well as for revisions. The favorable postoperative results seem to confirm our theory. We discuss our operative technique as well as the results in CTS revision cases.     

内镜下两点单侧钩切法治疗腕管综合征的临床应用

目的：探讨应用内镜的两点单侧钩切法切断腕横韧带,解除正中神经压迫的手术方法和疗效。方法：临床治疗原发性11例13侧（左侧3例,右侧6例,双侧2例）43～68岁女性腕管综合征患者。全部患者均有桡侧3个半指的指端刺痛觉减退,腕部正中神经Tinel征阳性,11例大鱼际肌萎缩,同时4例存在拇指对掌功能减弱。术中局部麻醉,分别采取近侧腕横纹线处,掌长肌腱与桡侧屈腕肌腱之间1cm皮肤横切口（入口）和患者拇指最大桡侧外展位,拇指尺侧平行线与中环指间的长轴线交叉点向尺侧1cm处呈45°切口（出口）。预制隧道后入口处置入腕关节镜,由出口插入钩刀。钩刀钩住腕横韧带近段后,内镜随钩刀移动而远行,全程镜视下由近及远切断腕横韧带。结果：患者经随访4～20个月全部疗效满意,捏握功能明显改善。术后3个月时恢复至S3＋M3以上。无血管、神经或屈肌腱损伤等并发症。结论：两点单侧钩切法操作步骤简单,是一种有效的手术方法。     

Traumatic rupture of median artery an unusual cause for acute median nerve compression

Previous case reports of haemorrhage into the carpal tunnel causing median nerve compression were extraneural and usually associated with a blood dyscrasia although Watson Jones reported one due to direct trauma and Hayden recorded spontaneous intraneural haemorrhage not associated with trauma. We describe a case of intraneural haemorrhage, involving the median nerve in the carpal tunnel, due to indirect trauma and not associated with a blood dyscrasia. The condition required intraneural decompression to obtain relief.     

Neurophysiological recovery after open carpal tunnel decompression: comparison of simple decompression and decompression with epineurotomy

Two hundred and seventy-three patients with carpal tunnel syndrome without advanced neurophysiological changes (distal motor latency below 11 ms) were randomized to treatment by open carpal tunnel release with, or without, epineurotomy. Patients were examined clinically and by nerve conduction studies preoperatively and at 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively. We found no statistically significant difference between simple decompression and decompression combined with epineurotomy with regard to either the clinical or the neurophysiological outcome.     

Dislocation of the carpal scaphoid associated with median nerve compression: case report.

Dislocation of the carpal scaphoid is a rare injury. A case of delayed diagnosis of scaphoid dislocation necessitating late treatment is described. The scaphoid was displaced anteromedially, causing compression of the median nerve in the carpal canal. Treatment consisted of carpal tunnel decompression and scapho-trapezium trapezoid fusion. Useful wrist motion without significant pain was restored.