Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies is not a major cause of idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome.
BACKGROUND
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a debilitating neuropathy affecting millions of individuals. Although there are published reports of familial associations of carpal tunnel syndrome, the molecular mechanisms are unknown.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence and potential role of the chromosome 17 microdeletion associated with hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies in patients diagnosed as having carpal tunnel syndrome.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Since hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies may present as carpal tunnel syndrome, we evaluated 50 patients with idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome for hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies.


RESULTS
No hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies deletions were detected.


CONCLUSIONS
Molecular genetic testing for hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies in patients with idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome is of limited value.
Stockton
D W
DW
Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA. stockton@bcm.tmc.edu
Meade
R A
RA
Netscher
D T
DT
Epstein
M J
MJ
Shenaq
S M
SM
Shaffer
L G
LG
Lupski
J R
JR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002872:Chromosome Deletion; D002886:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013631:Tangier Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology