title: Median and ulnar nerve conduction studies at the wrist: criterion validity of the NC-stat automated device.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare results obtained with the NC-stat--an automated nerve testing device--to traditional nerve conduction studies relevant to carpal tunnel syndrome screening.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-three subjects recruited from patients referred for electrodiagnostic testing were studied. Measurements including the distal motor latency (DML), distal sensory latency (DSL), and median-ulnar latency difference (MUD) were obtained by the NC-stat and by standard nerve conduction studies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With modifications to the NC-stat's suggested reference ranges, sensitivity with respect to the traditional results ranged from 93.8% (sensory MUD) to 100% (median DML and DSL) and specificity ranged from 84.6% (motor MUD) to 94.1% (sensory MUD). Sensitivity was as high or higher and specificity was lower when using the manufacturer's suggested cutoffs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The NC-stat appears to be a convenient and sensitive method for detecting median nerve pathology at the wrist.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Medical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
authors.forename: Theodore N
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Armstrong
authors.forename: Ann M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Dale
authors.forename: Muhammad T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Al-Lozi
authors.forename: Alfred
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Franzblau
authors.forename: Bradley A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Evanoff
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology; D004568:Electrodiagnosis / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008923:Missouri; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology*; D012372:ROC Curve; D014459:Ulnar Nerve / Q000502:physiology*; D014953:Wrist / Q000502:physiology*