A Immunohistochemical Analysis of Collagen of Transverse Carpal Ligament in Patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / 대한정형외과학회잡지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine differences in the specific collagen types of the transverse carpal ligament (TCL) in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and a control group without CTS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Surgical specimens from 19 dissected TCLs in patients with idiopathic CTS and 5 controls without CTS were taken (1x1 cm2). We analyzed the manifestations of collagen types I and III by immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: We found a homogeneous manifestation of type I and III collagens in the control group. However, in CTS patients, type III collagen was sporadically found around the perivascular and pericellular area, and type I collagen showed no definite differences between the two groups. The cellularity in CTS patients was much lower than that in the control group. CONCLUSION: The TCL in CTS patients shows reduced manifestation of type III collagen and less cellularity. These intrinsic changes may play a role in the different manifestations of collagen types in TCL.