Value of the lumbrical-interosseous technique in carpal tunnel syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the second lumbrical-interosseous technique has comparable sensitivity with the median-ulnar transcarpal mixed nerve technique (palmdiff).


METHODS
A prospective series of consecutive patients with median distribution paresthesias were evaluated with electrodiagnostic testing. Outpatient veterans referred by a heterogeneous group of specialists and generalists to the Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center electrodiagnostic laboratory. A total of 129 consecutive veterans referred for evaluation of median distribution paresthesias were assessed with two electrodiagnostic tests.


RESULTS
The second lumbrical-interosseous technique performed with equal sensitivity (60.5%) to the palmdiff technique, with the added unique feature of its being uniformly obtainable.


CONCLUSIONS
The second lumbrical-interosseous technique is characterized by performance equal to the palmdiff in categorizing carpal tunnel syndrome. It is also characterized by being nearly uniformly obtainable, even in severe carpal tunnel syndrome. These features suggest a wider role for the second lumbrical-interosseous technique than currently accepted.
Kaul
Matthew P
MP
Rehabilitation Medicine Service, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Portland, Oregon 97207, USA.
Pagel
Keith J
KJ
D000328:Adult; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004568:Electrodiagnosis / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000379:methods*; D010292:Paresthesia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014728:Veterans