evaluation of findings in carpal tunnel syndrome during surgery in patients referred to reconstructive surgery ward

background: carpal tunnel syndrome (cts) is the most common focal mono-neuropathy of median nerve in carpal tunnel. prevalence is 2.7-5.8% and is more common in female than male. the most important diagnostic method is electrophysiologic study of median nerve. materials and methods: this case-control study has done on 34 patients with cts and 44 healthy cases underwent electrophysiologic study. the diameter of nerve was measured at site of compression and also at a more proximal site in patients. results: in cts group increased significant distal latency in motor and sensory conduction and proximal motor latency of median nerve was noticed. the altitude of sensory median nerve and conduction velocity of median nerve in cts group was decreased significantly. thenar atrophy was seen without relation with severity of nerve compression. the nerve diameter was decreased in severe cases of cts group without significant differences. conclusion: in cts severity of anatomic changes are not the same as changes in electrophysiologic study.