CORRELATION BETWEEN CLINICAL FINDINGS & NCS FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF CTS

Mohammad Ilias*, Fahad Islam, Md. Imam Shahriar, A. B. M. Zafar Sadeque and Md. Mahfuzur Rahman

ABSTRACT

Objective: In this study our main goal is to evaluate the correlation between clinical findings (S/S + Tinels sign + Phalen’s test) & NCS (nerve conduction studies) for the diagnosis of CTS. Method: This cross-sectional observation study was carried out at tertiary medical college and hospital from January 2018 to January 2019 where 51 patients who attended the neurophysiology service for investigation of suspected CTS were included in the study. Results: During the study, CTS diagnosed positively in right hand about 37.3% cases where hypothyroidism cases were 1%, followed by CTS diagnosed positively in left hand about 29.4% cases where diabetes cases were 2.5%, both diabetes and hypothyroidism cases were 1%, CTS diagnosed positively in both hands about 15.7% also negative cases were 17.6%. According to association of Radiculopathy on NCS, negative association was found 70.6% cases, 17.6% were C6 Radiculopathy (Right), 3.9% were C6 Radiculopathy (Left), 5.9% were C7 Radiculopathy (Right), 2.0% were C7 Radiculopathy (Left). Conclusion: From our study we can conclude that, Clear guidelines regarding the indications for referral for NCS studies should be established in response to the increased concerns about the cost effectiveness of diagnostic tests.

Keywords: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), nerve conduction studies (NCS), clinical Diagnosis.