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Digital nerve conduction velocity as a sensitive indication of peripheral neuropathy in vibration syndrome
Author(s) -
Sakakibara Hisataka,
Kondo TakaAki,
Miyao Masaru,
Yamada Shin'Ya
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.4700260309
Subject(s) - medicine , wrist , carpal tunnel syndrome , nerve conduction velocity , median nerve , elbow , palm , ulnar nerve , peripheral neuropathy , ulnar neuropathy , carpal tunnel , peripheral , peripheral nerve , digital nerve , electromyography , anatomy , sensory nerve , nerve conduction study , nerve conduction , surgery , sensory system , physical medicine and rehabilitation , neuroscience , physics , quantum mechanics , endocrinology , biology , diabetes mellitus
Digital nerve conduction velocities in the median and ulnar nerves were measured in order to obtain a more accurate indication of peripheral nerve impairment induced by hand‐arm vibration. The subjects were 26 patients with vibration syndrome and 28 healthy controls, both groups of about the same age. Two pairs of surface electrodes were attached to the finger and one pair was positioned on the palm, while electrical stimulation was applied to the nerve at the wrist and elbow. Then sensory nerve conduction velocities were antidromically measured within the finger, and also from the wrist to the palm and from the elbow to the wrist. Slowed conduction within the finger was mostly found among the patients. The slowing was also encountered from the wrist to the palm across the carpal tunnel. Abnormalities were observed in the digital nerve segment in about 50–70% of the patients, and in the wrist‐to‐palm segment in about 10–25% of them. The present study indicates that digital nerve impairment predominantly occurs in the vibration‐exposed patients, and that measurement of digital nerve conduction velocity can be a useful objective means to detect peripheral neuropathy in vibration syndrome.