Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology

The Korean Society of Clinical Neurophysiology (대한임상신경생리학회)
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Electrophysiologic Characteristics of Combined Idiopathic Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

동반이환된 특발성 수근관증후군과 족근관증후군의 전기생리학적 특징

  • Kim, Sung-Hyouk (Department of Neurology, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, Gachon University Gil Hospital) ;
  • Yang, Ji-Won (Department of Neurology, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, Gachon University Gil Hospital) ;
  • Sung, Young-Hee (Department of Neurology, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, Gachon University Gil Hospital) ;
  • Park, Kee-Hyung (Department of Neurology, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, Gachon University Gil Hospital) ;
  • Park, Hyeon-Mi (Department of Neurology, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, Gachon University Gil Hospital) ;
  • Shin, Dong-Jin (Department of Neurology, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, Gachon University Gil Hospital) ;
  • Lee, Yeong-Bae (Department of Neurology, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, Gachon University Gil Hospital)
  • 김성혁 (가천의과학대학교 가천의대길병원 신경과) ;
  • 양지원 (가천의과학대학교 가천의대길병원 신경과) ;
  • 성영희 (가천의과학대학교 가천의대길병원 신경과) ;
  • 박기형 (가천의과학대학교 가천의대길병원 신경과) ;
  • 박현미 (가천의과학대학교 가천의대길병원 신경과) ;
  • 신동진 (가천의과학대학교 가천의대길병원 신경과) ;
  • 이영배 (가천의과학대학교 가천의대길병원 신경과)
  • Received : 2010.09.09
  • Accepted : 2011.03.07
  • Published : 2011.06.30
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Abstract

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS) are thought to share a similar pathophysiology, compression of the median and plantar nerve by the carpal tunnel and flexor retinaculum. A few reports introduced the relationship between idiopathic CTS and TTS without definite evidence of coexistence. The current study was designed to analyze the electrophysiologic characteristics of combined idiopathic CTS and TTS by comparing with each idiopathic CTS or TTS. Methods: We retrospectively collected patients with combined idiopathic CTS and TTS (CTS-TTS group) from June 2001 to February 2009. Patients with each idiopathic CTS or TTS were collected as controls. Electrophysiologic data of median and plantar nerves were compared between CTS-TTS group and controls. Results: CTS-TTS group was composed of 31 patients. Control group of each CTS or TTS were 50 CTS and 49 TTS patients. In comparison of median nerve conduction study between CTS-TTS group and CTS control group, decreased compound muscle action potential amplitude (p<0.001), decreased median sensory nerve action potential amplitude (p<0.001) and sensory nerve conduction velocity at finger stimulation (p=0.013) were prominent in CTS-TTS group. Decreased medial plantar sensory nerve action potential amplitude (p=0.034) was indicated when CTS-TTS groups and TTS control group were compared. Conclusions: If the electrophysiology study of patients with CTS or TTS was suggestive of severe degree of nerve injury, concerns about the possibility of combined CTS and TTS would be helpful.

Keywords

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