RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Median--ulnar nerve communications and carpal tunnel syndrome.
JF Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry
JO J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 982
OP 986
DO 10.1136/jnnp.40.10.982
VO 40
IS 10
A1 L Gutmann
YR 1977
UL http://jnnp.bmj.com/content/40/10/982.abstract
AB Carpal tunnel syndrome in the presence of anomalous median to ulnar nerve communications in the forearm produces a characteristic change in motor conduction studies. Median nerve stimulation at the elbow evokes a thenar muscle action potential (MAP) with an initial positive deflection not seen on stimulation at the wrist. In 63 patients this change occurred in 16 (25%) and is a useful additional criterion in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome. The initial positive deflection is due to the volume-conducted MAP from the first dorsal interosseous and some thenar muscles whose motor point lies some distance from the recording electrode over abductor pollicis brevis. The first dorsal interosseous and thenar MAPs resulting from elbow stimulation of those median nerve axons crossing to ulnar nerve in forearm, are generated before that from thenar muscles supplied by the axons going through the carpal tunnel.