title: [Diagnosis and therapy of carpal tunnel syndrome--guideline of the German Societies of Handsurgery, Neurosurgery, Neurology, Orthopaedics, Clinical Neurophysiology and Functional Imaging, Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, and Surgery for Traumatology].
abstract: Evidence-based supradisciplinary guideline that deals with the epidemiology, pathogenesis, symptoms, clinical and electrophysiological diagnosis, supplementary imaging investigations, differential diagnosis, conservative and surgical treatments, prognosis and course along with complications and revision surgery. The recommendations on investigation and treatment are based on a comprehensive literature search with critical evaluation and two consensus methods (expert group and Delphi technique) within the participating specialist societies. Besides this long version, a short version and a patient version can be viewed through the AWMF platform. The development of the guideline and the methodological foundations are documented in a method report. MAIN STATEMENTS: Apart from an accurate history and clinical neurological examination (including clinical tests), electrophysiological investigations (distal motor latency and sensory neurography) are particularly important. Radiography, MRI, high-resolution ultrasonography can be regarded as optional supplementary investigations. Among conservative treatment methods, treatment with a nocturnal splint and local infiltration of a corticosteroid preparation are effective. Oral steroids, splinting and ultrasound showed only short-term benefit. Surgical treatment is clearly superior to all other methods. Open and endoscopic procedures (when the endoscopic surgeon has sufficient experience) are equivalent. A routine epineurotomy and interfascicular neurolysis cannot be recommended. Early functional treatment postoperatively is important.
authors.affiliation: Neurochirurgische Gemeinschaftspraxis, Ringstrasse 3, 69221 Dossenheim. hans-assmus@t-online.de
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Assmus
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Antoniadis
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bischoff
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Haussmann
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Martini
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Mascharka
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Scheglmann
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schwerdtfeger
authors.forename: H K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Selbmann
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Towfigh
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vogt
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Wessels
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wüstner-Hofmann
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004576:Electromyography; D004594:Electrophysiology; D004724:Endoscopy; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011379:Prognosis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography; D015013:Yoga
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal