The Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association  2001;36(6):607-611

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

Yong Jin CHUNG 1 ; Goo Hyun BAEK ; Moon Sang CHUNG ; Woo Dong NAM ; Young Ho LEE ; Chung Hoon LEE ; Dong Yeon LEE ; Hyuk Soo HAN

Affiliations

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Keywords

Carpal tunnel syndrome; Transverse carpal ligament; Immunohistochemical staining; Collagen types

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

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.