Carpal tunnel syndrome. Comparative study between normal and dialyzed patients.

The various theories of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) are reviewed. The clinical and other features are compared and the results of surgical decompression and neurolysis reported in two groups of patients; 65 operations in "classical" CTS and 11 operations in patients on renal dialysis ("dialytic CTS"). Relief of pain and recovery of normal sensation was achieved in a high percentage of cases in both groups. Recovery of motor function was markedly better and quicker in the "dialytic" group, probably because deterioration was more rapid and therefore surgical intervention was carried out earlier. The pathological anatomy showed no significant overall difference between the two groups, except that in two of the renal dialysis patients granular deposits of myeloid substances were observed in the flexor tendon sheaths and on the walls of the carpal tunnel.