title: Mixed median nerve forearm conduction velocity in the presence of focal compression neuropathy at the wrist versus peripheral neuropathy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To establish normal values for the conduction velocity of the mixed median nerve in the forearm, and to determine the use of mixed median nerve conduction velocity (NCV) studies across the forearm in the differential diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), peripheral neuropathy, and CTS with peripheral neuropathy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Criterion standard. Mixed median NCV studies across the forearm were added to routine CTS investigational protocols.
  
  
  METHODS
  University outpatient setting, rural referral base.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty healthy volunteers and 60 patients referred with symptoms and signs suggestive of CTS and/or peripheral neuropathy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable.
  
  
  METHODS
  Motor sensory and mixed median nerve conduction velocity across the forearm.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean mixed median NCV across the forearm was 64.5 m/s in healthy subjects and subjects with CTS. The mean mixed NCV in subjects with peripheral neuropathy was 54 m/s, even in the presence of CTS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mixed median NCV in the forearm added to the standard protocols is helpful in differentiating the diagnosis of CTS from peripheral neuropathy and CTS with peripheral neuropathy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Virginia, 545 Ray C. Hunt Drive, Charlottesville, VA 22903-2981, USA.
authors.forename: Jerome
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.forename: Margarete
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: DiBenedetto
authors.forename: Shawn D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Gale
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D004568:Electrodiagnosis; D005542:Forearm; D006801:Humans; D008475:Median Nerve; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D014953:Wrist