[Carpal tunnel syndrome: report of 3 cases]

The carpal tunnel syndrome is a neuropathy due to trapping (focal lesion of the peripheral nerve due to a local cause); in this case, the median nerve is the most commonly involved. Its presentation is characteristic in females about 40 years of age. The diagnosis is mainly based on clinical features and is confirmed by electrical criteria. In the anamnesis it is important to consider systemic diseases as causing the abnormality. Treatment depends on the etiology. It may be medical or surgical. In the present article we report three cases with different etiology and treatment. We also review the syndrome.