Carpal tunnel syndrome among long-term hemodialysis patients

Among 123 patients on chronic hemodialysis, 13 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome [11 bilateral] were detectd. They tended to be 12 years older and had been on hemodialysis two years longer than patients without C.T.S. Duration on hemodialysis appeared to have a causative effect for the development of C.T.S. among females, while impaired calcium-phosphorous metabolism appeared to be implicated among males. The presence of shoulder pain and cystic radiolucencies correlated with C.T.S. Of six hands which were explored surgically, amyloid deposition was found in three. The site of vascular access, sex, underlying renal disease, efficacy of dialysis and predialytic beta 2-microglobulin level had no relation to the development of C.T.S