Abstract
(1) Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), a compressive mononeuropathy of the median nerve at the wrist, is rare in childhood and occurs most frequently due to secondary causes. (2) Methods: Medical history, electrodiagnostic findings, and imaging data of patients with CTS from two pediatric neuromuscular centers were analyzed retrospectively. The etiology of CTS was investigated and compared with the literature. (3) Results: We report on a cohort of 38 CTS patients (n = 22 females, n = 29 bilateral, mean age at diagnosis 9.8 years). Electrodiagnostic studies of all patients revealed slowing of the antidromic sensory or orthodromic mixed nerve conduction velocities across the carpal tunnel or lack of the sensory nerve action potential and/or prolonged distal motor latencies. Median nerve ultrasound was diagnostic for CTS and confirmed tumorous and vascular malformations. Etiology was secondary in most patients (n = 29; 76%), and mucopolysaccharidosis was the most frequent underlying condition (n = 14; 37%). Idiopathic CTS was rare in this pediatric cohort (n = 9; 24%). (4) Conclusion: Since CTS in childhood is predominantly caused by an underlying disorder, a thorough evaluation and search for a causative condition is recommended in this age group.
Highlights
Since children may not present with typical symptoms and may, in part, not communicate their complaints depending on their developmental stage and/or cognitive impairment, Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is possibly underdiagnosed in this age group
It is important to consider the presence of CTS even in toddlers with atypical symptoms, because the majority of CTS is caused by an underlying condition and requires early surgical treatment in order to prevent axonal median nerve damage
This high rate of surgical interventions was related to the secondary nature of childhood CTS
Summary
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a compressive mononeuropathy of the median nerve at the wrist. In contrast to CTS in adult patients, the condition in childhood is rare, often manifests with atypical symptoms, and most frequently occurs secondarily due to other causes. CTS was first described by Martin and Mass in 1958 [1], who reported on three children with recurrent episodes of hand pain. In 1989 Poilvach [2] carried out an extensive literature search and presented 52 cases of childhood CTS. He suggested the first etiopathological classification of the various underlying causes.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
