Main Anatomical Variations Found in Patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Literature Review

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.1594952423101

• Palavras-chave: Carpal tunnel syndrome. Anatomical variation.

• Keywords: Carpal tunnel syndrome. Anatomical variation.

• Abstract:

  Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a neuropathy caused by compression and/or traction of the median nerve in its portion located in the carpal tunnel at the wrist. The aim of this article is to report the main anatomical variations related to CTS. To do this, searches were carried out in the SciELO and PubMed databases, using descriptors from the DECS, and with inclusion factors for the last 5 years, and a total of 14 studies were found, 9 of which were chosen because they were more pertinent to the topic. The etiopathogenesis of CTS is variable, but it is known that anatomical variations can lead to pathology, being related to variations in symptomatology, possible iatrogenic lesions and compression of adjacent structures. Anatomical variations can include nerves, vessels, muscles and tendons. Determining and identifying anatomical variations is important not only for defining the cause of nerve compression, but also for avoiding complications during surgical procedures in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. The presence of a bifid median nerve, persistent median artery and accessory lumbrical muscle are the anomalies most frequently found in patients with the syndrome studied.