Seven cases of carpal tunnel syndrome were referred to the Electromyographic Laboratory of Severance Hospital between March, 1975 and March, 1976. Of these, 3 were males and 4 were females. Patients were between 14 and 57 years of age. Duration of symptoms was between 1 month and 10 years. One patient had bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome caused by rheumatoid arthritis. Another one had carpal tunnel syndrome complicated by the fracture of the lunate bone. In the remaining 5 patients, we could not find the cause of nerve compression. All patients had numbness, tingling sensation and pain in the index and middle fingers. Pain was worse at night. On electrodiagnostic studies, delayed distal latency of the median nerves was found in 5 patients including a bilateral case and absent in 2. Sensory nerve action potential was decreased in one patient and absent in 7 nerves of 6 patients. Denervation potentials on EMG were found in 7 nerves of 6 patients. One patient was negative on EMG examination. In all patients, it was possible to confirm the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome by electrodiagnostic studies.
Action Potentials ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ; Denervation ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Fingers ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Lunate Bone ; Male ; Median Nerve ; Sensation