Orthodromic sensory conduction along the ring finger in normal subjects and in patients with a carpal tunnel syndrome

TY - JOUR

T1 - Orthodromic sensory conduction along the ring finger in normal subjects and in patients with a carpal tunnel syndrome

AU - Lauritzen, Martin

AU - Liguori, Rocco

AU - Trojaborg, Werner

PY - 1991/1/1

Y1 - 1991/1/1

N2 - The purpose of the present study was to examine the value of measuring sensory conduction along the median and ulnar nerves of the fourth finger in the diagnosis of a carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). In 23 controls, sensory conductions along median and ulnar nerves were identical. In 28 of 38 patients with CTS, stimulation of the ring finger revealed a reduced conduction velocity along sensory median nerve fibres in contrast to normal conduction along ulnar sensory nerve fibers. In 5 patients, a sensory action potential was absent over the median nerve and in another 5 sensory conduction was normal along both nerves. We conclude that testing of sensory conduction along the ring finger is useful in about 74% of patients with CTS, while in the remaining 26% other fingers must be examined to establish the diagnosis.

AB - The purpose of the present study was to examine the value of measuring sensory conduction along the median and ulnar nerves of the fourth finger in the diagnosis of a carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). In 23 controls, sensory conductions along median and ulnar nerves were identical. In 28 of 38 patients with CTS, stimulation of the ring finger revealed a reduced conduction velocity along sensory median nerve fibres in contrast to normal conduction along ulnar sensory nerve fibers. In 5 patients, a sensory action potential was absent over the median nerve and in another 5 sensory conduction was normal along both nerves. We conclude that testing of sensory conduction along the ring finger is useful in about 74% of patients with CTS, while in the remaining 26% other fingers must be examined to establish the diagnosis.

KW - Carpal tunnel syndrome

KW - Conduction velocity

KW - Median nerve

KW - Sensory conduction

KW - Ulnar nerve

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0025869566&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/0168-5597(91)90099-J

DO - 10.1016/0168-5597(91)90099-J

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 1705215

AN - SCOPUS:0025869566

SN - 0168-5597

VL - 81

SP - 18

EP - 23

JO - Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology / Evoked Potentials Section

JF - Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology / Evoked Potentials Section

IS - 1

ER -