[Carpal tunnel syndrome]

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common mononeuropathy. Typical symptoms include pain or discomfort in the hand, paresthesia, weakness and altered temperature or dryness of the skin along with neurophysiological findings. The presence of these symptoms in the area of the median nerve distribution supports the diagnosis.

This review article is based on current knowledge about carpal tunnel syndrome as obtained from the Medline and the Cochrane database systems.

The prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome in the population is around 3%. A higher incidence is reported in women and in manual workers in general. The higher incidence in women may be less evident than previously expected. The size of the carpal canal do not predict the disease, but narrowing of the canal in its distal third has been reported in both patients and non-symptomatic controls.

Differences in job exposure between men and women may explain the increased incidence in women. Although the relationship between symptom production and structural changes in the carpal tunnel affecting the median nerve is still debated, narrowing of the canal in its distal third may predict the syndrome.