Electrophysiological Assessment of Clinically Diagnosed Patients of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Western Maharashtra (India)

Objective: To find out most sensitive electrophysiological indictors of carpal tunnel Syndrome. Materials and method: 45 normal subjects and 125 clinically diagnosed patients of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) were studied. Sensory and motor conduction of Median nerve was studied bilaterally. Sensory and motor conduction of Ulnar nerve was studied bilaterally. Results: Compared to controls, in patients following changes were observed on both the sides: Distal sensory latencies (DSL) and distal motor latencies (DML) of median nerve were increased. Sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) of median nerves was reduced. Differences between DSL of median and ulnar nerves were increased. Differences between DML of median and ulnar nerves were increased. Compound Muscles Action Potentials (CMAP) and Sensory nerve action potentials (SNAP) were not significantly reduced. Median nerve conduction abnormalities were also observed in asymptomatic hands. Conclusion: Difference between DSL of median and ulnar nerves, difference between DML of median and ulnar nerves and SNCV of median nerve are very sensitive indicators for diagnosis of CTS. CTS is bilateral disorder.