SILENT PERIOD ABNORMALITIES IN CARPAL-TUNNEL SYNDROME

Cutaneous silent period (CSP) was measured on stimulating digits 2 and 5 in 19 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CIS) and compared with 20 healthy volunteers. In 2 patients with severe CTS, CSP was absent o n digit 2 but present on digit 5. In mild/moderate CTS digit 2 CSP mea n duration was 50.9 +/- 13.9 ms, significantly longer than control sub jects (36.9 +/- 8.7 ms) (P = 0.005), CSP was found to be abnormal in C TS, being absent in severe and prolonged in mild/moderate cases. (C) 1 998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.