Enhanced expression of Wnt9a in the flexor tenosynovium in idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome

Suprafascial plane endoscopy versus open carpal tunnel release for idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome: Use of the Accordion Severity Grading System

This study aimed to assess the safety and effectiveness of modified endoscopic technique with a single portal from an external carpal tunnel approach for surgical operations in a suprafascial plane superficial to the transverse carpal ligament. Reversible nerve injury risk is threefold greater with a conventional endoscopic method than with open carpal tunnel release (OCTR), and this suprafascial plane endoscopic release (SPER) should circumvent the problem of hardware in the carpal tunnel encountered with the conventional endoscopic method and liable to cause iatrogenic damage to the median nerve. However, the surgical consequences of the new technique have not been studied. To fill this gap, a retrospective therapeutic study was conducted to compare negative outcomes versus open surgery. The Accordion Severity Grading System was used to grade complications from 0 to 3 according to necessity of treatment. Sequela and failure rates were also compared between the SPER and OCTR groups. Eighty-eight cases in 72 patients with idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome (ICTS) met the inclusion criteria. SPER was performed in 28 hands in 27 patients, and OCTR in 60 hands in 49 patients. The results showed no significant difference in complication, sequela, or failure rates between groups (p > 0.05). Suprafascial plane endoscopic release, has certain advantages over the open method and was validated as a safe and effective method of treating ICTS.

Clinical evidence and mechanisms of growth factors in idiopathic and diabetes-induced carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is an entrapment neuropathy caused by compression and irritation of the median nerve, which travels through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. Increased fibrosis is a hallmark of the development and pathology of CTS. Different growth factors have been demonstrated to play a potential role in the development of CTS. Studies have described an increase in the expression of growth factors, including Transforming Growth Factor (TGF-β), Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and interleukins (growth factors for immune and inflammatory cells) in SSCT (sub-synovial connective tissue) in CTS patients. Additionally, SSCT fibrosis is also marked by increased activation of canonical TGF-β second messenger Smads, increased expression of downstream fibrotic mediators such as connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), increased production of collagen type I, II, III and IV, and decreased expression of matrix metalloproteinases. Anti-fibrotic such as anti-TGF treatment may prove beneficial in idiopathic patients, however, anti VEGF therapy can be successful in the diabetic CTS patients. The present review describes the clinical evidence stating the role of different growth factors in the development of fibrosis in idiopathic and diabetes induced CTS.