THE EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON NERVE-CONDUCTION PARAMETERS IN CARPAL-TUNNEL SYNDROME

Correction factors exist to allow for the dramatic effect that tempera ture has on nerve conduction study parameters. However, these are base d on normal nerves in normal individuals and may not be appropriate in the diseased nerve setting. Our clinical study showed that in carpal tunnel syndrome, the median nerve reacts differently to temperature ch anges compared with normal ulnar controls. Furthermore, statistically significant differences exist between the rates of change with increas ing temperature in motor and sensory nerves. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Son s, Inc.