CARPAL-TUNNEL SYNDROME - A CLINICO-ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL STUDY

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a compressive neuropathy. It comprises 24% of all clinico-electrophysiologically proved peripheral neuropath ies studied retrospectively for the last 5 years in the comparatively hot climate of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (lying at longitude 50 degrees E a nd latitude 26.2 degrees N). Here, we report the clinico-electrodiagno stic results for 72 such patients 20 males + 52 females), age ranging from 20 years to 75 years. Clinical evaluations revealed that 57% pati ents had idiopathic CTS and the remainder had an association with diab etes mellitus (19%), rheumatoid arthritis (11%), hypothyroidism (7%) o r renal and heart failure (6%). In addition to typical signs/symptoms of CTS, 71% of our CTS females were at their reproductive age. Convent ional sensorimotor median nerve conduction studies showed significantl y higher terminal sensory motor latencies (4.13 ms +/- 0.76 and 5.7 ms +/- 1.29 respectively), delayed sensory conduction velocity (32 m/s /- 6.61) and reduced amplitude of sensory action potential (3.99 mu V +/- 2.18) (P < 0.0005) as compared with those of controls. In addition , the motor terminal latency index of the median nerve was calculated and showed significant reduction (P < 0.0005) in the study group as co mpared with healthy controls. Med Sci Res 26:631-633 (C) 1998 Lippinco tt Williams & Wilkins.