Pudendal and median nerve sensory perception threshold: a comparison between normative studies.
BACKGROUND
For the evaluation of sensory innervation, normative data are necessary as a comparison.


OBJECTIVE
To compare our current perception thresholds (CPTs) with normative data from other research.


METHODS
Healthy volunteers were assessed for 2000, 250, and 5 Hz CPTs of the median and pudendal nerve and data were compared with other studies.


RESULTS
Normative data in the studied group n = 41 (male: 21; female: 20) for the median nerve, 2 kHz, 250 Hz, and 5 Hz were respectively: 241.85 ± 67.72 (140-444); 106.27 ± 39.12 (45-229); 82.05 ± 43.40 (13-271). Pudendal nerve CPTs 250 Hz were: 126.44 ± 69.46 (6-333). For men 2 kHz: 349.95 ± 125.76 (100-588); 5 Hz: 132.67 ± 51.81 (59-249) and women 2 kHz:226.20 ± 119.65 (64-528); 5 Hz: 92.45 ± 44.66 (35-215). For the median nerve no statistical differences for gender were shown. For the pudendal nerve, only 250 Hz showed no difference for gender (t-test: 0.516). Comparison of our data with CPTs of other normative data showed no agreement for the pudendal nerve. For the median nerve only 2 kHz showed agreement in three studies and for 5 Hz with one study.


CONCLUSIONS
Comparing normative data of multiple studies shows a variety of results and poor agreement. Therefore, referring to normative data of other studies should be handled with caution.
Department of Urology, University of Antwerp , Edegem , Belgium.
Jörgen
J
Quaghebeur
Jean Jacques
JJ
Wyndaele
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D055592:Biophysical Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D060525:Pudendal Nerve / Q000502:physiology*; D012016:Reference Values; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
Current perception threshold; electric stimulation; lower urinary tract; pudendal nerve; sine-wave current; urinary sensory function