[Carpal tunnel syndrome. A Tunisian series].

BACKGROUND

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most frequent ductal syndrome. Few epidemiological studies in Tunisia exist.

AIM: To describe clinical, biological and electromyographic data of Tunisian patients with CTS

METHODS

A retrospective study including 80 patients with CTS, during the period going from 2009 to 2010.

RESULTS

A female predominance was observed with an average age of 52 years. Acroparesthesia was the main complaint, followed by night awakenings and muscular weakness. Physical examination showed a positive Tinel (91.2%) and Phalen (82.5%) tests, a decrease of tactile sensitivity (26.2%) and a thenar amyotrophy (10%). The Electromyography was abnormal in 85% cases. The most revealing lesions were demyelinating, sensitivo-motor predominance (66%) abnormalities. on Biology, hyperglycemia (12.5%), hyperuricemia (8.7%) and renal failure (7.5%) were the most observed. Medical treatment was drawn on analgesics and anti-inflammatory for 90% of our patients. Local steroid injections were indicated for 35% of patients, leading to a clinical improvement in 90% of cases. Surgery was made in only 13.8% patients.

CONCLUSION

Tunisian patients with CTS were female patients, housewifes with obesity or overweight. No other differences were observed in comparison with the literature.