[Electrophysiology in distal median nerve compression syndrome--the so-called carpal tunnel syndrome]

152 patients--110 women and 42 men--presenting a distal compression syndrome of the N. medianus, the so-called "carpal-canal syndrome" were examined electromyographically and electroneurographically on 198 hands. For avoiding a wrong diagnosis, the determination of the distal motor latency was carried out by means of concentric needle electrodes. Checkups could be carried out in 79 of the patients. Of these, 42 had in the meantime been subjected to an operation, 83 per cent of them with an improvement of the complaints. On the other hand, in 37 of the patients who had not been operated on, the complaints were unchanged or had increased. Only 27 per cent were free from complaints.