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Carpal tunnel syndrome and systemic sclerosis
L Machet1, L Vaillant, M C Machet
1Department of Dermatology, CHU Trousseau, Tours, France.
Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland)
|January 1, 1992
Summary
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common neurological complication in systemic scleroderma patients. Early clinical and electrophysiological screening for CTS is crucial for timely scleroderma diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Neurology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Systemic scleroderma is an autoimmune disease with potential multi-organ involvement.
- Nerve entrapment syndromes, such as carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), can occur in patients with systemic scleroderma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and clinical significance of carpal tunnel syndrome in patients with systemic scleroderma.
- To assess the utility of neurological assessments in early scleroderma detection.
Main Methods:
- A consecutive series of 16 patients with systemic scleroderma were evaluated.
- Clinical examinations and electrophysiological studies, including electromyogram (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS), were performed.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome and ulnar nerve compression were specifically assessed.
Main Results:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome was diagnosed in 4 out of 16 patients (25%).
- One additional patient presented with ulnar nerve compression.
- Neurological symptoms appeared at disease onset in two patients and preceded scleroderma diagnosis in two others.
Conclusions:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome is a frequent neurological finding in systemic scleroderma.
- Clinical and electrophysiological evaluation for CTS is recommended in scleroderma patients.
- Patients diagnosed with idiopathic CTS should be monitored for potential underlying systemic scleroderma.