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Ulnar nerve conduction abnormalities in carpal tunnel syndrome
Author(s) -
Yemisci Oya Umit,
Yalbuzdag Seniz Akcay,
Cosar S. Nur Saracgil,
Oztop Pinar,
Karatas Metin
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.22046
Subject(s) - ulnar nerve , carpal tunnel syndrome , medicine , median nerve , ulnar neuropathy , sensory system , sensory nerve , carpal tunnel , nerve conduction velocity , snap , anatomy , motor nerve , surgery , elbow , neuroscience , psychology , computer graphics (images) , computer science
Abstract Introduction: The aim of this study was to verify the involvement of ulnar nerve fibers in cases of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and investigate the correlation between ulnar nerve conduction parameters and extra‐median spread of symptoms. Methods: Electrophysiological studies were conducted in 93 CTS and 76 control hands. Patients were analyzed with regard to symptoms in the fifth finger. Results: In the CTS cases, ulnar distal motor latency (DML) and distal sensory latency (DSL) were significantly longer, and amplitudes were lower than in controls. Increased median nerve DML correlated with increased ulnar nerve DSL and decreased sensory amplitudes and conduction velocities (SCVs). In cases with symptoms in the fifth finger, ulnar nerve SCVs and amplitudes were lower than in patients without symptoms. Conclusions: Pathological processes leading to median neuropathy in CTS may affect ulnar nerve motor and sensory fibers in the Guyon canal. This may explain the extra‐median spread of sensory symptoms in CTS patients. Muscle Nerve 44: 352–357, 2011