Clinical features, electrophysiological findings and naked eye appearance of the median nerve in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome

ABSTRACT

To study the morphological changes of the median nerve during release of the carpal tunnel and to compare it with electrophysiological and clinical parameters. Patients were subjected to full clinical examination, confirmatory tests [Phalen test and Tinel test], routine laboratory investigations, electrophysiological tests [motor and sensory nerve conduction studies of the median nerve] and median nerve decompression surgery. There were no significant differences between the presence or absence of the different clinical features and the surgical grading and vice versa; there were no significant differences between the presence or absence of different surgical features and the clinical grading. There was no significant relation between the clinical grading and the surgical grading. Some electrodiagnostic findings have a reliable relation with surgical findings rather than with clinical findings in patients with CTS. CMAP, compound muscle action potential; CTS; carpal tunnel syndrome; EMG, electromyography; NCS, nerve conduction study