Comparison of the distal motor latency of the ulnar nerve in carpal tunnel syndrome with a control group
Mortier, G.; Deckers, K.; Dijs, H.; Vander Auwera, J.C.
Electromyography and Clinical Neurophysiology 28(2-3): 75-77
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0301-150X PMID: 3416807 Document Number: 312298
In the literature, contradicting information is presented on the occurrence of ulnar nerve entrapment in patients suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). In order to evaluate this subject further, the distal motor latency (DML) of the ulnar nerve was determined in 116 patients with known CTS using standard electromyographical methods. The results were compared with those obtained in 102 normal subjects. Statistical analysis showed the ulnar nerve DML in the CTS-group (mean 2.9 msec; range 1,9-5,0 msec) to be significantly (p < 0.01) different from the control group (mean 2,5 msec; range 1,6-3,6 msec), suggesting that in CTS the ulnar nerve can also be involved. As methods using the difference between the median and ulnar nerve DML to diagnose CTS rely on a normal value of the ulnar nerve DML, it would appear from this study that these methods have to be used cautiously.