scholarly journals Anatomical variation of the median nerve and its thenar branch: Clinical and surgical application in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome

2021 ◽  
Vol 09 (03) ◽  
pp. 326-329
Author(s):  
Charaf eddine Elkassimi ◽  
Mustapha Fadili ◽  
Sami Rouadi ◽  
Abdelhak Garch

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common root canal pathology. The surgical treatment corresponds to a release of the median nerve by incision of the anterior annular ligament of the carpus by open surgical treatment or endoscopy. Knowledge of the normal anatomy and anatomical variations of the median nerve at the wrist is fundamental to avoiding complications in median nerve release in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. Through this work we will show the interest of knowledge of the anatomy of the median nerve as well as its anatomical variations in order to derive the main clinical applications and to avoid the risks associated with open or endoscopic surgery in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 37
Author(s):  
Emanuele La Corte ◽  
Clarissa A. E. Gelmi ◽  
Nicola Acciarri

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common entrapment peripheral neuropathy. Median nerve may present several anatomical variations such as a high division or bifid median nerve (BMN). A thorough knowledge of the normal anatomy and variations of the median nerve at the wrist are fundamental to reduce complications during carpal tunnel release. Case Description: A 63-year-old man with CTS underwent preoperative ultrasound that showed the entrapment of the median nerve and disclosed a BMN Lanz IIIA Type anatomical variation at the carpal tunnel. During the surgery, the anatomical variant of a BMN at the wrist has been visualized. Both nervous rami entirely occupied the carpal canal and this may have predisposed to the development of the entrapment syndrome. Nor persistent median artery, or other associated abnormalities, have been identified. At the 6 months follow-up control, the patient referred a good surgical recovery with complete resolution of the preoperative symptoms of the median nerve entrapment. Conclusion: A rare case of Lanz IIIA BMN Type at the wrist has been encountered in a patient with a CTS and a systematic review and practical considerations have been presented with the aim of raising awareness to the neurosurgical community of a such rare variant that could be encountered during carpal tunnel release procedures. CTS may be caused by the entrapment of a BMN Lanz IIIA Type anatomical variant of median nerve. Preoperative US would help to identify such patients to reduce risk of iatrogenic injuries.


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 313-322
Author(s):  
Filip Georgiew ◽  
Andrzej Maciejczak ◽  
Jakub Florek ◽  
Ireneusz Kotela

Background. Nerve compression underlying carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) results in an increase in the threshold of superficial sensation in the area supplied by the median nerve, which is a mixed nerve dominated by sensory fibres. The distribution of sensory symptoms is strongly dependent on the degree of electrophysiological dysfunction of the median nerve. The association between carpal tunnel syndrome and ulnar nerve entrapment at wrist level is still unclear. Patho­logical processes leading to median neuropathy in CTS may affect ulnar nerve motor and sensory fibers in the Guyon canal. This may explain the extra-median spread of sensory symptoms in CTS patients. Material and methods. The study involved 88 patients (104 hands), with 70 women (83 hands) and 18 men (21 hands) aged between 25 and 77 years. 50 age- and sex-matched subjects without carpal tunnel syndrome were used as a control group. The diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome was made according to the criteria of the American Academy of Neurology 1993 guidelines. Based on the results of an ENG trace evaluating the degree of conduction disturbances in the median nerve, the patients were classified to one of three severity subgroups. The threshold of sensory excitability to pulsed current was determined in a test with single 100 ms rectangular pulses. Conclusions. 1. The threshold of sensation in the fingers innervated by the median and ulnar nerve is significantly lon­ger in patients with CTS than in controls. 2. Surgical treatment decreases the threshold of sensation in the fingers innervated by the median nerve. 3. Surgical treatment does not decrease the threshold of sensation in the fingers innervated by the ul­nar nerve. 4. The preoperative and postoperative threshold of sensation in the fingers innervated by the median and ulnar nerve is significantly longer in patients with severe carpal tunnel than in mild and moderate cases.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 34-43
Author(s):  
D. G. Yusupova ◽  
A. A. Zimin ◽  
D. A. Grishina ◽  
N. V. Belova ◽  
A. V. Vershinin ◽  
...  

Background. Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common tunnel neuropathy in which the median nerve is compressed at the level of the wrist in the carpal canal. Treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome can be conservative and surgical. Surgical treatment is indicated in case of ineffective conservative treatment. However, the strategy of managing patients with carpal tunnel syndrome in the postoperative period has not yet been determined; there is no clear understanding of the effectiveness and necessity of rehabilitation in the early and long-term postoperative periods.Aim. Follow-up the patients after decompression of the median nerve in the late (up to 3 weeks after surgery) and long-term (3 weeks after surgery) postoperative periods to assess the effectiveness of different methods of rehabilitation.Materials and methods. A randomized controlled study included 108 cases of idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome (unilateral and bilateral). After surgery, the patients were divided into three groups: the restorative treatment group using magnetic therapy, the kinesiotherapy group, and the control group. Clinical, neurophysiological and ultrasound monitoring was carried out for six months.Results. Patients of all the groups showed similar improvement in the most of the analyzed parameters, without any significant difference.Conclusion. Thus, according to the results of a comprehensive study, it is evident that early diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome and a high-quality surgical decompression of the median nerve with a complete dissection of the flexor retinaculum of the hand guarantee improvement within six months or later after surgical treatment without additional rehabilitation measures.


2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-31
Author(s):  
O.M. Semenkin ◽  
◽  
S.N. Izmalkov ◽  
A.N. Bratiichuk ◽  
E.B. Solopikhina ◽  
...  

Introduction Although surgical treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is known to be highly effective outcomes may not be equally satisfactory for the patients due to severity of clinical presentation and objectifying assessment of the condition. Purpose Provide clinical evaluation of outcomes of surgical treatment of CTS using questionnaires and electroneuromyography (ENMG) findings depending on baseline severity of the condition. Material and methods The review included 161 patients who underwent 189 operations of open decompression of the median nerve using mini-access. The patients were assigned to three groups with mild (Group I), moderate (Group II) and severe (Group III) CTS. Evaluations were produced at 6 weeks, 3, 6 and 12 months following the surgery. Results The majority of patients showed positive dynamics, and delayed recovery of the wrist function was noted in Group III at a 12-month follow-up. Patients of Group III exhibited spasmodic improvement of the wrist function at 6-week-to-3-month follow-up. Conclusion Open decompression of the median nerve performed for patients with CTS using mini-approach facilitated substantial clinical and functional improvement in most cases. However, the most favorable results could be provided for mild and moderate CTS.


2019 ◽  
Vol XXIII (1) ◽  
pp. 43-51
Author(s):  
Grzegorz Magoń ◽  
Aneta Strzelec ◽  
Filip Georgiew

The persistence symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome causes patients to undergo surgical decompression of the median nerve. The resulting dysfunctions require postoperative physiotherapy. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of physiotherapy on pain, ROM of wrist and forearm, the results of the Phalen and Durkan tests, and the strength of the operated hand. Material and method. A group of 30 patients was included in the study, including 28 women and 2 men. The ROM of the wrist joint and forearm was measured with a goniometer, and pain with the VAS scale. Phalen and Durkan tests and functional test were carried out. Results: physiotherapy has a positive effect on reducing the intensity of pain, improve the ROM of the wrist joint and forearm and the functional capacity of the hand in patients after surgical treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
Shane A Shapiro ◽  
Ashkan Alkhamisi ◽  
George G A Pujalte

The main objective of this pictorial essay is to illustrate the sonographic appearance of the postoperative carpal tunnel and median nerve. Carpal tunnel surgical treatment failures have been shown to occur in up to 19% of a large series requiring re-exploration. Surgical management options for recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) include revision release, neurolysis, vein wrapping, and fat grafting procedures. While several descriptions of median nerve entrapment in CTS exist in the ultrasound literature, little is written regarding its postoperative appearance. We report the sonographic changes in the appearance of the median nerve and postoperative carpal tunnel.


Author(s):  
Serdar Ercan ◽  
Zeki Serdar Ataizi

Abstract Objective Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), the compression of the median nerve under the carpal ligament, is the most common peripheral nerve entrapment of the upper extremity. While conservative treatment is used for patients with mild and moderate symptoms, surgical treatment is preferred for severe symptoms. The aim of the study is to evaluate the difference between transverse and longitudinal incision by comparing postoperative pain and recurrence rates. Methods The patients were divided into two groups according to the surgical incision type. Surgical intervention was applied to patients in group T (transverse incision) and group L (longitudinal incision) by the same two surgeons in each group. All patients were followed-up with electromyography (EMG) and performance scale before and after surgical treatment. If the postoperative EMG result was similar to the preoperative EMG result, it was accepted as recurrent CTS. Results A total of 418 patients were included to the study. Six patients in the group T with transverse incision, and 18 patients in the group L with longitudinal incision, were reoperated for an average of 6 ± 2 months after the primary surgery. Conclusion Complications are less, and recurrent nerve compression is less in longitudinal approach, since surgical intervention is performed by seeing the median nerve directly.


2001 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 255-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas E. Trumble ◽  
Mary Gilbert ◽  
Wren V. McCallister

Author(s):  
Trevor Simcox ◽  
Lauren Seo ◽  
Kevin Dunham ◽  
Shengnan Huang ◽  
Catherine Petchprapa ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The etiology of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is multifactorial. Static mechanical characteristics of CTS have been described, but dynamic (muscular) parameters remain obscure. We believe that musculature overlying the transverse carpal ligament may have an effect on carpal tunnel pressure and may explain the prevalence of CTS in manual workers. Questions/Purposes To utilize magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) imaging to estimate the amount of muscle crossing the area of the carpal tunnel and to compare these MRI measurements in patients with and without documented CTS. Methods A case–control study of wrist MRI scans between January 1, 2018, and December 1, 2019, was performed. Patients with a diagnosis of CTS were matched by age and gender with controls without a diagnosis of CTS. Axial MRI cuts at the level of the hook of the hamate were used to measure the thenar and hypothenar muscle depth overlying the carpal tunnel. Muscle depth was quantified in millimeters at three points: midcapitate, capitate–hamate border, capitate–trapezoid border. Average depth was calculated by dividing the cross-sectional area (CSA) by the transverse carpal ligament width. Statistical analysis included Student's t-test, chi-square test, and Pearson's correlation coefficient calculation. Results A total of 21 cases and 21 controls met the inclusion criteria for the study. There were no significant differences in demographics between case and control groups. The location and depth of the musculature crossing the carpal tunnel were highly variable in all areas evaluated. A significantly positive correlation was found between proximal median nerve CSA and muscle depth in the capitate–hamate area (correlation coefficient = 0.375; p = 0.014). CSA was not significantly associated with chart documented CTS. Conclusions We found large variability in our measurements. This likely reflects true anatomical variation. The significance of our findings depends on the location of the muscles and the line of pull and their effect on the mechanics of the transverse carpal ligament. Future research will focus on refining measurement methodology and understanding the mechanical effect of the muscular structure and insertions on carpal tunnel pressure. Level of Evidence This is a Level 3, case–control study.


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