[Carpal tunnel syndrome]

The authors have reviewed 250 cases of carpal tunnel syndrome operated upon in a series of more than 400 cases. They also describe the results of an experimental study of the effects of locally injected corticosteroids on nervous fibers. Following a brief historical introduction, a detailed anatomical description is provided, with emphasis on congenital variations. The pathological, histological and clinical features of the disease are reviewed in the light of modern concepts of nerve compression. The cases in this series are classified according to their cause, among which idiopathic hypertrophic tenosynovitis was predominant. With regard to treatment, the authors conclude from their experience that repeated local injections of corticosteroids are dangerous, whereas surgical treatment is harmless and can be performed on out-patients under regional anaesthesia.