TR
EN
Sensitivity of Median Nerve Sensory Conduction Studies in the Digital Branches for the Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Öz
Aim: To evaluate the diagnostic sensitivity of sensory conduction studies targeting the digital branches and the palm-to-wrist segment of the median nerve in patients with electrophysiologically confirmed mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), and to assess whether combining multiple segments improves diagnostic yield.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 217 hands from patients referred for electrophysiological evaluation between 2020 and 2022 with a preliminary CTS diagnosis. Orthodromic sensory conduction studies were performed on the first (D1W), second (D2W), and third (D3W) digit-to-wrist segments and the palm-to-wrist (PW) segment. Laboratory-specific reference limits were established from 73 healthy controls. Sensitivity was calculated for each segment individually and in combination.
Results: The PW segment demonstrated the highest sensitivity (98.62%), followed by D1W (96.31%), D3W (94.47%), and D2W (92.63%). Combining PW with D1W achieved 100% sensitivity; PW combined with D3W and D2W yielded 99.6% and 99.1%, respectively.
Conclusion: Testing a single digital segment alone may miss CTS diagnoses in some patients. Combining the PW segment with any digit-to-wrist segment raises sensitivity above 99%, substantially reducing false-negative rates. To minimize false-negative rates, combining the PW segment with at least one digit-to-wrist segment is recommended in routine CTS electrophysiological evaluation, particularly when digital branch studies yield normal or borderline results.
Anahtar Kelimeler
Destekleyen Kurum
The author declared that this study has received no financial support.
Etik Beyan
The study was approved by the Karabuk University Non-Interventional Clinical Research Ethics Committee (Approval No: 2022/893).
Teşekkür
The authors would like to thank all participants who volunteered for this study. No external assistance was received in the preparation of this manuscript.
Kaynakça
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- 5. Kimura J. Electrodiagnosis in Diseases of Nerve and Muscle: Principles and Practice. 4th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2013.
- 6. Lauritzen M, Liguori R, Trojaborg W. Orthodromic sensory conduction along the ring finger in normal subjects and in patients with a carpal tunnel syndrome. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol. 1991;81(1):18-23.
- 7. Macdonell RA, Schwartz MS, Swash M. Carpal tunnel syndrome: which finger should be tested? An analysis of sensory conduction in digital branches of the median nerve. Muscle Nerve. 1990;13(7):601-6.
- 8. Kothari MJ, Preston DC, Plotkin GM, Shefner JM, Logigian EL. Comparison of digital sensory studies in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Muscle Nerve. 1995;18(11):1272-6.
Ayrıntılar
Birincil Dil
İngilizce
Konular
Klinik Tıp Bilimleri (Diğer)
Bölüm
Araştırma Makalesi
Yayımlanma Tarihi
29 Eylül 2026
Gönderilme Tarihi
24 Haziran 2026
Kabul Tarihi
28 Eylül 2026
Yayımlandığı Sayı
Yıl 2026 Cilt: 16 Sayı: 5
APA
Tezce, A., & Gündüz, R. (2026). Sensitivity of Median Nerve Sensory Conduction Studies in the Digital Branches for the Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Journal of Contemporary Medicine, 16(5), 262-267. https://doi.org/10.16899/jcm.1978493
AMA
1.Tezce A, Gündüz R. Sensitivity of Median Nerve Sensory Conduction Studies in the Digital Branches for the Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Journal of Contemporary Medicine. 2026;16(5):262-267. doi:10.16899/jcm.1978493
Chicago
Tezce, Ahmet, ve Ramazan Gündüz. 2026. “Sensitivity of Median Nerve Sensory Conduction Studies in the Digital Branches for the Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome”. Journal of Contemporary Medicine 16 (5): 262-67. https://doi.org/10.16899/jcm.1978493.
EndNote
Tezce A, Gündüz R (01 Eylül 2026) Sensitivity of Median Nerve Sensory Conduction Studies in the Digital Branches for the Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Journal of Contemporary Medicine 16 5 262–267.
IEEE
[1]A. Tezce ve R. Gündüz, “Sensitivity of Median Nerve Sensory Conduction Studies in the Digital Branches for the Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome”, Journal of Contemporary Medicine, c. 16, sy 5, ss. 262–267, Eyl. 2026, doi: 10.16899/jcm.1978493.
ISNAD
Tezce, Ahmet - Gündüz, Ramazan. “Sensitivity of Median Nerve Sensory Conduction Studies in the Digital Branches for the Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome”. Journal of Contemporary Medicine 16/5 (01 Eylül 2026): 262-267. https://doi.org/10.16899/jcm.1978493.
JAMA
1.Tezce A, Gündüz R. Sensitivity of Median Nerve Sensory Conduction Studies in the Digital Branches for the Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Journal of Contemporary Medicine. 2026;16:262–267.
MLA
Tezce, Ahmet, ve Ramazan Gündüz. “Sensitivity of Median Nerve Sensory Conduction Studies in the Digital Branches for the Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome”. Journal of Contemporary Medicine, c. 16, sy 5, Eylül 2026, ss. 262-7, doi:10.16899/jcm.1978493.
Vancouver
1.Ahmet Tezce, Ramazan Gündüz. Sensitivity of Median Nerve Sensory Conduction Studies in the Digital Branches for the Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Journal of Contemporary Medicine. 01 Eylül 2026;16(5):262-7. doi:10.16899/jcm.1978493