The existence of familial carpal tunnel syndrome (FCTS) as a separate auton
omic entity has been discussed during the last few years. In order to contr
ibute with more data to the literature, we report here the results of clini
cal, electro physiological, pathological and radiological studies performed
in 5 patients belonging to the same Finnish pedigree. The disease appeared
usually before the second decade with numbness and pain on the I-III digit
s. Iri most patients symptoms were unilateral but within 2 years they becam
e bilateral. In all patients typical electrophysiological features of media
n nerve entrapment have been recorded. X-rays of the wrist showed narrow ca
rpal tunnel in all patients. In all patients the possibility of having HNPP
as well as familial amyloidosis has been excluded by molecular genetic and
pathological studies. All patients underwent surgery and at postoperative
stage symptoms were relieved or completely disappeared. Our study supports
the theory that FCTS exists as a separate autonomic entity, therefore it is
important in front of a sporadic case to investigate the family occurrence
of CTS.