环指感觉神经感觉传导速度在轻度腕管综合征诊断中的应用

目的 寻找诊断轻度腕管综合征(CTS)敏感的电生理检查方法。方法 临床症状、体征符合CTS,正中神经运动末端潜伏期正常的患者19例(29侧)和年龄性别相匹配的健康对照组23名(25侧),采用顺向性感觉神经传导速度(SCV)测定法分别测定环指(指4)正中神经和尺神经SCV,中指(指3)正中神经SCV。结果 环指尺神经SCV>45.2 m/s,正中神经SCV<44.1 m/s,和(或)尺神经SCV与正中神经SCV差值>8.1 m/s(x+σx),考虑符合CTS诊断。CTS组中指正中神经SCV测定异常率为66％,环指为76％,环指正中神经与尺神经SCV差值异常率为93％。环指刺激在8例(14侧)患者腕部正中神经处记录到双峰电位,但对照组均未见。结论 比较环指正中神经和尺神经SCV在鉴别轻度CTS方面是敏感的方法之一,在怀疑CTS时,该项检查可作为常规的电生理检查方法。     

The dilemma of ulnar nerve entrapment at wrist in carpal tunnel syndrome

Objective

The commonest compression neuropathy in human being is carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The association between CTS and ulnar nerve entrapment is debatable. The objective of this study is to determine the presence of any association between CTS and ulnar entrapment neuropathy at the wrist.

Patients and methods

To test the hypothesis we conducted a case-control study. Ninety-nine healthy volunteers and 181 patients with established diagnosis of CTS enrolled to the study. Distal latencies, peak latencies and action potentials for sensory branches and distal latencies and action potentials for motor branches of both median and ulnar nerves were measured in totally 378 hands. We conducted independent t-test comparing age and sex between control and patient groups and analysis of variance to compare dichotomous and continuous variables between control group and patient subgroups.

Results

Based on our cutoffs, we found that 7.5% of CTS patients had distal latency ≥2.8 ms for ulnar sensory branches, 4.6% had distal latency ≥3.4 ms for ulnar nerve motor branches and 15% had peak latency ≥3.3 ms for ulnar sensory branches. There was not any statistically significant correlation between subgroups of CTS patients and control group.

Conclusion

The authors suggest that there may not be any association between CTS and ulnar nerve compression at the wrist. We suggest that different racial groups and multiple techniques in performing nerve conduction studies and dissimilar cutoff values for the diagnosis of entrapment neuropathies are the major causes of ambiguity in the literature. More relevant studies will have crucial importance for detecting ulnar nerve entrapment at the wrist in CTS patients.     

腕管综合征患者正中神经区域外症状及其可能机制

腕管综合征(Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, CTS)是正中神经在腕部通过腕横韧带下方腕管处受压而出现的手部症状,是最常见的外周神经卡压神经疾病[1].一项欧洲流行病学调查显示,该病终生罹患风险为10%,在总体人群中患病率为2.7%[2].CTS的典型症状是手部正中神经分布区感觉异常、麻木、疼痛等,较大程度地影响患者的生活质量,在美国,其是工作日损失和员工赔偿金的主因之一[3].虽然CTS是正中神经损害导致的手部症状,但患者经常会有手部尺神经分布区不适以及其他正中神经区域外症状.为此,本文对CTS患者的临床表现特点,正中神经区域外症状特点,及其可能机制作一综述.     

The electrodiagnostic approach to carpal tunnel syndrome

CTS is a clinically defined syndrome; however, there is value added by an evidence-based electrodiagnostic approach to (1) efficiently confirm the diagnosis (particularly before invasive interventions), (2) to identify neurogenic mimickers or superimposed processes that may influence the response to treatment, and (3) to stratify the degree of neurogenic injury to help the clinician make management decisions in conjunction with the severity of the clinical symptoms. The literature on the electrodiagnostic diagnosis of CTS is reviewed and an evidence based diagnostic algorithm is proposed. Confounders to CTS electrodiagnostic diagnosis are discussed (crossovers, peripheral neuropathy, and recurrent symptoms after surgical release).     

Diagnostic specificity of sensory and motor nerve conduction variables in early detection of carpal tunnel syndrome

Summary In the carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) sensory nerve conduction is more sensitive than motor conduction. However, 8%–25% of the sensory distal latencies in symptomatic hands may still be normal. A systematic study was made of the median, ulnar and radial orthodromic nerve conduction velocities (SNCV) stimulating each of the fingers separately. Four SNCVs from the median nerve, two SNCVs from the ulnar nerve and one from the radial nerve were obtained, and the ratio of the median to radial SNCV and the ratios of the median and ulnar SNCVs were estimated. The significance of these parameters in the diagnosis of the CTS was studied, and a rapid technique for the screening of nerve entrapment in the initial stages of the disease is proposed. Three hundred and seventy-five symptomatic hands were examined. Seventy-five hands showed normal distal latency, in which cases, however, the SNCV of the ring finger was always outside the normal range, while the SNCVs of the thumb, index and middle fingers were abnormal in 64%, 80% and 92% of cases respectively. The amplitudes of the sensory responses were the least sensitive of the parameters studied. Our results suggest that a study of the median nerve digital branch to the ring finger may be of value in providing an easily performed and rapid technique for screening an early median nerve entrapment at the wrist.     

Sonographic differences in carpal tunnel syndrome with normal and abnormal nerve conduction studies

We evaluated the differences in sonographic parameters in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) patients with normal and mildly abnormal nerve conduction studies (NCS). This was a prospective cross-sectional study. We assessed 169 wrists (101 patients) with a clinical diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), as well as 20 healthy controls (40 wrists). 49 wrists were classified as mild NCS-positive and 38 as NCS-negative based on our laboratory NCS normal values. The cross-sectional area (CSA) of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel inlet and mid-forearm were measured and the wrist-to-forearm ratio (WFR) was calculated. 26% of the NCS-negative group had abnormal CSA. The CSA and WFR also differed significantly between the two groups. There was significant correlation between the sonographic and electrophysiologic variables. Ultrasound was diagnostic for CTS in a third of the NCS-negative wrists. Ultrasound may be useful in clinical CTS patients with normal or borderline NCS.     

Sonographic and electrophysiological detection in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome

Abstract

Objectives: To assess prospectively the significance of sonographic measurements of the median nerve in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), to look for proper parameters and cutoff values for the sonographic diagnosis, and to correlate with the electrophysiological findings.

Materials and methods: This study involved 30 patients, who were clinically diagnosed as CTS merely based on their symptoms and signs; and 30 healthy volunteers were served as controls. Eligible subjects underwent sonographic and electromyographic detection.

Results: In the CTS patient group, the cross-sectional area (CSA) at the pisiform bone level (CSA2) and the diameter (D) of the median nerve increased. When the cutoff values of CSA2 and D were 0·105 cm² and 0·195 cm, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the diagnosis were 91·5, 94·5, 94·1%, and 90·7, 80·4, 86·5%, respectively. Both CSA and D were negatively related to sensory conduction velocity, while CSA was positively related to distal motor latency.

Conclusion: There is a good association of sonographic with electrophysiologic detection for the diagnosis of CTS.     

Ulnar nerve impairment at the wrist does not contribute to extramedian sensory symptoms in carpal tunnel syndrome

ObjectiveExtramedian spread of sensory symptoms is frequent in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) but its mechanisms are unclear. We explored the possible role of subtle ulnar nerve abnormalities in the pathogenesis of extramedian symptoms.MethodsWe recruited 350 CTS patients. After selection, 143 patients (225 hands) were included. The hand symptoms distribution was graded with a diagram into median (MED) and extramedian (EXTRAMED) pattern. We tested the correlation of ulnar nerve conduction measures with the distribution and the severity of symptoms involving the ulnar territory. The clinical significance of ulnar nerve conduction findings was explored with quantitative sensory testing (QST).ResultsEXTRAMED distribution was found in 38.7% of hands. The ulnar neurographic measures were within normal values. Ulnar nerve sensory measures were significantly better in EXTRAMED vs MED hands and not significantly correlated to ulnar symptoms severity. Ulnar and median nerve sensory measures were significantly correlated. QST showed normal function of ulnar nerve Aβ-fibers.ConclusionsUlnar nerve sensory abnormalities do not contribute to the spread of sensory symptoms into the ulnar territory.SignificanceOur data favour the hypothesis that spinal and supraspinal neuroplastic changes may underlie extramedian spread of symptoms in CTS.     

60例腕管综合征患者的神经电生理检测与临床分析

目的 探讨腕管综合征(CTS)患者的神经电生理特征.方法 对临床症状、体征符合CTS的60例患者进行正中神经、尺神经的运动和感觉传导速度测定,及拇短展肌、小指展肌的肌电图检测.结果 60例患者中,双侧病变18例,单侧病变42例.60例CTS患者中78条正中神经感觉传导潜伏期均延长和感觉传导速度均减慢,60条正中神经感觉诱发波幅降低,74条正中神经运动远端潜伏期延长,4条正中神经运动远端潜伏期和诱发波幅正常.58块正中神经支配的拇短展肌呈神经源性损害.结论 神经电生理检查在CTS的诊断与鉴别诊断中有重要意义.     

Neurophysiological classification of carpal tunnel syndrome: assessment of 600 symptomatic hands

Following the AAEM electrodiagnostic guidelines, we developed a neurophysiological classification of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Sixhundred hands with clinical CTS (mean age 51.4 yr., female/male ratio 5.5/1, right/left ratio 1.8/1) were prospectively evaluated and divided into six classes of severity only on the basis of median nerve electrodiagnostic findings: extreme CTS (EXT — absence of thenar motor responses), severe CTS (SEV — absence of sensory response and abnormal distal motor latency — DML), moderate CTS (MOD — abnormal digit-wrist conduction and abnormal DML), mild CTS (MILD — abnormal digit-wrist conduction and normal DML), minimal CTS (MIN — exclusive abnormal segmental and/or comparative study), and negative CTS (NEG — normal findings at all tests) Using this neurophysiological classification, the CTS groups appeared normally distributed (EXT 3% of cases, SEV 14%, MOD 36%, MILD 24%, MIN 21%, NEG 3%), and the age of patients and clinical findings appeared to be related to neurophysiological abnormalities. Significant differences in median neurophysiological parameters not included in the classification (such as palm-wrist sensory conduction velocity) were observed in the different CTS groups. The analysis of the groups showed that: 1) the majority of advanced cases (SEV and EXT) occurred in older patients (60–80 years), 2) most of the milder cases (MIN and MILD) occurred in young female patients. The aim of this study was to standardise the neurophysiological evaluation of CTS.This study was presented in part at the meeting Giornata Neurofisiologica Romana — Sindrome del tunnel carpale — Roma 27-Sept-96.     

腕管综合征的电生理与超声定量检测

目的前瞻性研究正中神经超声定量测定在诊断腕管综合征（CTS）中的意义，探索其诊断标准。方法以符合纳入标准的CTS患者24例（共46只腕）为病例组，年龄、性别与之匹配的健康志愿者24名为对照组，行电生理和腕部正中神经超声检测。结果（1）病例组电生理结果符合CTS，阳性率91．3％（42／46）。（2）超声测定的正中神经横截面积（CSA）增大，神经内径（D）增粗；当豌豆骨水平CSA临界值取0．105cm。时，敏感性及特异性分别为90．5％和96．0％；D取0．195cm时敏感性及特异性分别为90．5％和82．0％。（3）CSA、D均与感觉传导速度呈负相关，CSA与末端运动潜伏期呈正相关。结论超声测量正中神经是诊断CTS的一种新的可靠方法，豌豆骨水平CSA临床诊断价值较大；超声与电生理检测具有良好的相关性。     

Short-term electrophysiological conduction change in median nerve fibres after carpal tunnel release

Standard electrophysiological techniques and analysis of the stimulus–response relationship (i.e., the input–output (I–O) curves) of the median nerve were performed in 16 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) both prior to and 1 and 6 months after surgical decompression at the wrist. One month after carpal tunnel release (CTR), conduction in cutaneous and motor axons (i.e., sensory conduction velocity and distal motor latency) was found to be improved with respect to pre-surgical values, whereas motor action potentials and the motor I–O curve showed a decrease with respect to control values. This suggested reduced efficiency of axon recruitment following CTR. Six months after surgery, all parameters were significantly improved with respect to control values. The sensory and motor I–O curves suggested that the reduced motor fibre recruitment efficiency observed 1 month after CTR was due to changes in current density distributions under the surface stimulating electrode on the median nerve at the wrist. Slight transient compression (such as that due to post-surgical oedema) acting on median fibres located superficially within the nerve cannot be excluded, however. Since electrophysiological studies are an important, objective method of evaluating the outcome of surgical CTR, electrophysiologists must be aware of the possibility of reduced compound motor action potential (CMAP) in the first few months after surgery.     

拇指感觉神经传导速度诊断轻度腕管综合征的临床应用价值

目的:探讨拇指感觉神经传导速度(sensory nerve conduction velocity,SCV)诊断轻度腕管综合征的临床应用价值。方法:对18例(26只手)轻度腕管综合征的患者和15例(30只手)年龄性别相匹配的正常人,测定了腕部正中神经和桡神经的感觉神经传导速度,并进行对比研究。结果:中指正中神经SCV的异常率为50%,腕部正中神经/桡神经(刺激拇指)SCV差值的异常率为84.6%,明显大于用常规检查方法组(刺激中指),有8例12只手腕部正中神经感觉动作电位(刺激拇指)中出现双峰电位,而对照组则无。结论:在腕管综合征肌电图的诊断中,比较正中神经和桡神经SCV的差值是早期诊断腕管综合征的敏感指标之一。     

Nocturnal prolactin secretion in carpal tunnel syndrome

The correlation between plasma PRL levels and CTS was investigated in 21 patients in whom a specific causal agent of CTS could not be identified. No correlation between plasma PRL levels and other clinical and neurophysiological data was detected

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Sommario Il rapporto fra concentrazione plasmatica della PRL e sindrome del tunnel carpale è stata studiata in 21 pazienti con la forma idiopatica di tale sindrome. Non è stata trovata una correlazione fra i livelli di PRL e i dati clinici e neurofisiologici in questi pazienti.

     

Entrapment neuropathy of the palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve in carpal tunnel syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to elucidate the significance of electrophysiological data of the palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve (PCBm) in the diagnosis entrapment of the PCBm concomitant with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical and electrophysiological studies were conducted for abnormal sensation of the thenar eminence in eight CTS patients. Sensory nerve action potentials (SNAPs) of the PCBm were recorded from bipolar surface electrodes over the forearm using an orthodromic method. The preoperative SNAP evaluation was compared with the operative findings. RESULTS: The eight patients were divided into two groups based on the characteristics of SNAPs of the PCBm; five patients had normal SNAPs of the PCBm and three patients had delayed or absent SNAPs. Open surgery confirmed entrapment of the PCBm in one patient in the first group and all patients in the latter group. CONCLUSIONS: Although clinical symptoms were not always reliable to diagnose entrapment of the PCBm in CTS, electrophysiological study of the PCBm was highly sensitive (75%) and entirely specific (100%) to demonstrate the entrapment of the PCBm preoperatively.     

第二蚓状肌-骨间肌记录法在腕管综合征的诊断价值研究

目的探讨第二蚓状肌-骨间肌记录法在不同程度腕管综合征(carpal tunnel syndrome;CTS)中的诊断价值。方法以符合纳入标准的CTS患者44例(56只患手)为病例组,年龄、性别匹配的30例健康志愿者的非利手为对照组。表面电极刺激和记录,分别进行正中、尺神经的运动和感觉传导检测。主要参数包括,(1)掌-拇短展肌的末端运动潜伏时(DML)、腕-拇短展肌DML(APB-DML)、腕-掌段运动传导速度(wpMCV),以及腕-食指末端感觉潜伏时(DSL)、感觉传导速度(SCV);(2)腕-小指展肌DML、腕-第二骨间肌DML;(3)腕-环指正中/尺神经末端感觉潜伏时的差值(dDSL);(4)腕-第二蚓状肌DML(2L-DML)及其与腕-第二骨间肌DML的差值(2LI-DML)。根据腕-拇短展肌DML以及腕-食指SCV,将CTS患者分为轻、中和重度组。结果在44例患者56只患手中轻度CTS19肢,中度22肢,重度15肢;其中7例CTS患者合并下肢周围神经病。与对照组相比,3个病例组的APB-DML延长、wpMCV减慢、dDSL增大、2L-DML延长、2LI-DML增大,均有统计学差异(P0.01)。在轻度组以及中度组2LI-DML诊断的敏感性与APB-DML、wpM-CV、dDSL无明显差异(P0.05);在重度组,2LI-DML诊断的敏感性与APB-DML、wpMCV无差异(P0.05),与dDSL的差异有显著性(χ2=7.03,P0.05)。结论第二蚓状肌-骨间肌记录法可有效检出各种程度的CTS,在重度CTS尤其是合并多发性神经病者,则是很有价值的检测方法。     

The diagnostic accuracy of high-resolution ultrasound in screening for carpal tunnel syndrome and grading its severity is moderated by age

ObjectiveTo assess the effect of age on the accuracy of high-resolution ultrasound (HRUS) in the diagnosis and grading of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).MethodsPatients with symptoms and signs of CTS (N = 527 wrists) were evaluated using electrodiagnostic studies (EDx) for CTS diagnosis and grading. Median nerve cross-sectional areas at carpal tunnel inlet (CSA) and at forearm level were measured by HRUS and the ratio of these values was calculated (WFR). Healthy controls underwent identical testing (N = 122 wrists). HRUS accuracy was assessed against the EDx standard by Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.ResultsIn patients >65 y with moderate and severe CTS, disease-related increases in CSA and WFR were negatively correlated with increasing age. Subjects were grouped by age into younger (<65 y) and older (≥65 y). The c-statistics for CSA and WFR respectively were: For CTS diagnosis, younger group: 0.94 and 0.96 (excellent); older group: 0.85 and 0.86 (satisfactory). For CTS grading, younger group: differentiating mild CTS from controls: 0.90 and 0.92 (excellent); mild from moderate: 0.79 and 0.74 (satisfactory); moderate from severe: 0.82 and 0.78 (satisfactory). For CTS grading, older group: differentiating mild CTS from controls: 0.83 and 0.83 (satisfactory); mild from moderate: 0.53 and 0.61 (poor); moderate from severe: 0.65 and 0.53 (poor).ConclusionsFor subjects aged <65 y, HRUS accuracy is excellent in CTS diagnosis and satisfactory in grading. For older subjects, accuracy is satisfactory in diagnosis but not in grading.SignificanceHRUS for CTS has diagnostic limitations selectively in older individuals.     

Characteristics of forearm mixed nerve conduction study in carpal tunnel syndrome: Comparison with ultrasound assessments

This study aimed to characterize forearm mixed nerve conduction study (NCS) findings in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Eighty-two patients with CTS and 48 healthy controls were enrolled. We directly compared the forearm mixed NCS and ultrasonography results from CTS patients with those from the controls. Correlation analyses were performed to identify the relationship between forearm mixed NCS parameters and ultrasound measurements in CTS. We observed reduced forearm mixed nerve amplitude and increased cross-sectional area (CSA) of the median nerve at the proximal carpal tunnel (CT) inlet in CTS. The forearm mixed nerve amplitude negatively correlated with the CSA at the proximal CT inlet. We found a negative correlation between Bland's neurophysiological grade and the forearm mixed nerve amplitude as well as a positive correlation between the CSA of the median nerve at the proximal CT inlet and Bland's neurophysiological grade. We confirmed that the reduced median mixed nerve amplitude is the distinguishing feature of forearm mixed NCS in CTS. Our findings suggest that the forearm mixed NCS is potentially useful in evaluating its severity.     

Clinical-electrophysiological correlations in the carpal tunnel syndrome

56 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) with 84 hands affected were investigated. All patients were assessed clinically and electromyographically in order to find out whether there is a correlation between clinical signs and/or symptoms and the EMG data. A highly significant correlation was found between sensory deficit (hypoesthesia to touch and/or pain) and the amplitude of SAP and a significant correlation between motor deficits (weakness and/or atrophy) and distal motor latency.

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Sommario Sono stati esaminati 56 pazienti con Sindrome Tunnel Carpale (CTS), per un totale di 84 mani. Ciascun paziente è stato valutato clinicamente ed elettromiograficamente. L'esame clinico mirava ad evidenziare la presenza di deficit sensitivi e motori e rilevare la presenza di altre patologie. Lo scopo del nostro studio è stato quello di valutare l'esistenza di una correlazione tra sintomi e/o segni clinici e dati elettromiografici. È stata rilevata una correlazione particolarmente significantiva tra deficit sensitivo (ipoestesia tattile e/o dolorifica) e ampiezza del SAP e inoltre tra la comparsa di deficit motori (ipostenia) e/o atrofia e la latenza distale motoria.