Original article
English
Tarek Graisa, Mohamed Ben Gafer
Department of Neurology Tripoli Medical Centre Tripoli, Libya
JMJ 2010, Vol.10, No.2:130-132
Abstract
We reviewed the clinical details and nerve conduction studies in patients referred for electromyography (EMG) and/or nerve conduction studies for different reasons with the most common reason being to confirm Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). We identified 400 patients suitable for analysis over a period of six months. Standard median, ulnar and radial nerve conduction studies were carried out. Carpal tunnel syndrome is said to be confirmed if the sensory and/ or motor distal latency (DL) of the median nerve is prolonged. Comparison studies between the median, ulnar and radial nerves are carried out if DL is not prolonged. Palm-wrist stimulation tests were applied to diagnose mild CTS when standard nerve conduction studies were negative. Of the 400 patients were referred for nerve conduction studies 320 (80%) had symptoms suggestive of CTS. One hundred and fifty three patients had significantly abnormal nerve conduction studies consistent with CTS. In 66% of the cases (101 patients), the condition was considered mild. The remaining 34% (52 patients) had severe CTS. Of the 291 females studied 230 had symptoms consistent with CTS of whom 138 (46%) had abnormal nerve conduction studies consistent with CTS as compared to 15 out of 90 (17%) symptomatic male patients. The prevalence of CTS in diabetic patients was over 19%. The clinical symptoms of CTS are nonspecific and diagnosis should be confirmed using standard nerve conduction studies. The majority of patients had mild CTS. The preponderance of CTS in female patients may be occupational in origin resulting from repetition strain injury to the hands sustained during heavy housework.
Keywords: Carpal tunnel syndrome, Nerve conduction studies, Distal latency, Median nerve.
Link/DOI: http://www.jmj.org.ly/images/stories/summer2010/130.pdf