Correlation of Clinical Symptoms and Physical Signs with Electrodiagnostic Findings in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
- Author:
Jung Keun HYUN
1
;
Seong Jae LEE
;
Ho Jang KWON
;
Mina HA
;
Jongmin LEE
;
Jeong Yi KWON
;
Joon Sung KIM
;
Nam Jong PAIK
;
Ho LEE
;
Bum Sun KWON
Author Information
1. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine , Dankook University, Korea. rhhyun@dankook.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Carpal tunnel syndrome;
Electrodiagnosis;
Clinical symptom;
Physical sign
- MeSH:
Atrophy;
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome*;
Diagnosis;
Electrodiagnosis;
Electromyography;
Hand;
Hypesthesia;
Needles;
Prospective Studies;
Sensation;
Sensitivity and Specificity;
Tertiary Care Centers
- From:Journal of the Korean Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine
2003;27(3):361-368
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: This study was to evaluate the correlation of clinical symptoms and physical signs with electrodiagnostic findings in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), and to increase the usefulness of clinical symptoms and physical signs in the diagnosis of CTS. METHOD: We prospectively identified 322 hands from 172 subjects clinically from 5 tertiary hospitals. All subjects completed 6 clinical symptoms and 6 physical signs including 3 provocative tests. Each symptoms and signs were divided motor and sensory symptoms and signs, and the correlation between symptoms and signs and the results of motor and sensory conduction studies and needle electromyography were evaluated. The sensitivity and specificity of each valuable symptoms and signs for electrodiagnostic results were also assessed. RESULTS: Tingling sensation, nocturnal pain, worsening, and Phalen sign were correlated with motor conduction study, and falling tendency, abductor pollicis brevis weakness and atrophy, tingling sensation, hypoesthesia, and Tinel and Phalen signs were correlated with needle electromyography. The Phalen sign had the best sensitivity and specificity for median motor conduction study, and the best sensitive physical sign for needle electromyography. CONCLUSION: Motor and sensory symptoms and signs were not correlated with motor and sensory conduction studies, but motor symptoms and signs were correlated with needle electromyography. The Phalen test was the most useful evaluating tool to diagnose CTS.
