A clinical study of the carpal tunnel syndrome, the most common entrapment neuropathy, was done by the authors from 1979 till 1982. In this present study, we discussed the prevalance rate of carpal tunnel syndrome in Korea and the comparative value between conventional diagnostic criteria and residual motor latency including general consideration.

The summary of the results obtained was as follows:

1) Male patients were in relatively high proportion, and bilaterality was predominent in both sex.

2) Idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome was the most common, and the next common etiology was the peripheral neuropathy.

3) Sensory distal latency was more sensitive than the motor distal latency in our study.

4) As the duration became longer, sensory diatal latency was more prolonged and the more frequent abnormal spontaneous activity was found on the EMG.

5) On the nerve conducton study, the standardization of the measurement was required.

6) The prevalance rate of carpal tunnel syndrome was progressively increased year by year and it was probably due to progressive increasing tendency to confirm the carpal tunnel syndrome by EMG study.