Comparison of sensory mid-palm studies to other techniques in carpal tunnel syndrome.
This prospective study was done to assess a technique of comparing Median-Ulnar sensory latency differences across the wrist (Sensory Palm [M-U]) to diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and to compare the relative sensitivities of other previously reported techniques: Median-Radial sensory difference (Sensory Thumb [M-R]), Median-Ulnar mixed palm difference (Mix Palm [M-U]) and Median-Ulnar sensory digit difference (Sensory Digits [M-U]). 90 Hands met the electrodiagnostic (EDX) criteria for mild CTS. The Sensory Thumb (M-R) was abnormal in 90% of the hands followed in order by Mix Palm (M-U) 61%, Sensory Digits (M-U) 42% and Sensory Palm (M-U) 33%. All differences were statistically significant (p < .01). Sensory Palm (M-U) did not significantly add to the diagnosis of CTS. The Sensory Thumb (M-R) was relatively the most sensitive followed by Mix Palm (M-R) was relatively the most sensitive followed by Mix Palm (M-U), Sensory Digits (M-U) and Sensory Palm (M-U).
Andary
M T
MT
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Michigan State University, College of Osteopathic Medicine, East Lansing, USA.
Fankhauser
M J
MJ
Ritson
J L
JL
Spiegel
N
N
Hulce
V
V
Yosef
M
M
Stanton
D F
DF
D000328:Adult; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology*; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000502:physiology*