Median artery in carpal tunnel syndrome.

Among the large group of carpal tunnel syndromes, it is possible to distinguish two distinct entities, which are related to a persistent median artery. The first is associated with thrombosis, which causes a sudden onset of pain and paresthesia, often severe, while the second is associated with a normal median artery. In the latter case, symptoms predominate during work, and the physical signs are inconsistent. For both entities, the patients are fairly young, with a mean age of 33.6 years. Resection of the artery is recommended after ensuring an adequate arterial supply to the fingers.