• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.13-19
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• 2017

Background: Median F-wave latencies are physiologically shorter than ulnar latencies, but they are often longer relative to ulnar latencies in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). This study aimed to investigate the value of absolute F-waves and relative latency changes compared to ulnar latencies in the diagnosis of CTS. Methods: F-wave latencies of median and ulnar nerves in 339 hands from 339 patients with CTS and 60 hands from 60 control subjects were investigated. Mean F-wave minimal latencies of median and ulnar nerves were compared between groups. Patients were further divided into subgroups based on Canterbury grading and then analyzed using F-wave latency differences (FWLD) and F-wave ratio (FWR). Results: Of 339 hands in the CTS group, 236 hands exhibited F-wave inversion based on the FWLD criterion and 277 hands had F-wave inversion based on the FWR criterion. F-wave inversion had a sensitivity of 81.7% using the FWR criterion to diagnose CTS. The mean FWLD and FWR were significantly greater in all patient subgroups compared to the control group (p < 0.001). In addition, mean FWLD and FWR showed significant correlations (r = -0.683 and r = 0.674, respectively, p < 0.001) with disease severity. Conclusions: F-wave studies are effective supplementary diagnostic tools comparing to other standard electrophysiologic criteria for screening patients with CTS.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.21-26
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• 2014

Background: Electrophysiological study has been known as a useful method to evaluate the therapeutic effect of operation in idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and electrophysiological changes after carpal tunnel release (CTR) compared to the preoperative results. Methods: We analyzed the changes of nerve conduction study (NCS) before and after minimal open carpal tunnel release in 18 patients (25 hands) with CTS. Follow-up study was performed over 6 months after operation. Results: Clinical improvement was seen in all cases after CTR. In contrast, electrophysiological improvement was various depending on the parameters; the mean median sensory latency and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) improved significantly (p = 0.001). The mean median motor latency also improved, but NCV and compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude did not change. The extent of improvement was evident in moderate CTS, but not in severe CTS. Conclusions: In this preliminary study, all subjects who underwent CTR achieved a clinical relief along with a significant improvement of electrophysiological parameters such as median sensory latency, sensory NCV and median distal motor latency. After CTR, a number of cases with mild to moderate CTS showed a prominent improvement of clinical and electrophysiological parameters, while fewer improvements were seen in severe CTS, although it did not reach the statistical significance.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.54-59
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• 2020

Background: The median nerve cross-sectional area (MNCSA) is a useful morphological parameter for the evaluation of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). However, there have been limited studies investigating the anatomical basis of median nerve flattening. Thus, to evaluate the connection between median nerve flattening and CTS, we carried out a measurement of the median nerve thickness (MNT). Methods: Both MNCSA and MNT measurement tools were collected from 20 patients with CTS, and from 20 control individuals who underwent carpal tunnel magnetic resonance imaging (CTMRI). We measured the MNCSA and MNT at the level of the hook of hamate on CTMRI. The MNCSA was measured on the transverse angled sections through the whole area. The MNT was measured based on the most compressed MNT. Results: The mean MNCSA was 9.01 ± 1.94 ㎟ in the control group and 6.58 ± 1.75 ㎟ in the CTS group. The mean MNT was 2.18 ± 0.39 mm in the control group and 1.43 ± 0.28 mm in the CTS group. Receiver operating characteristics curve analysis demonstrated that the optimal cut-off value for the MNCSA was 7.72 ㎟, with 75.0% sensitivity, 75.0% specificity, and an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.82 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.69-0.95). The best cut off-threshold of the MNT was 1.76 mm, with 85% sensitivity, 85% specificity, and an AUC of 0.94 (95% CI, 0.87-1.00). Conclusions: Even though both MNCSA and MNT were significantly associated with CTS, MNT was identified as a more suitable measurement parameter.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.135-139
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• 2015

$Cu_2SnS_3$ (CTS) based thin film solar cells (TFSCs) are of great interest because of its earth abundant, low-toxic and eco-friendly material with high optical absorption coefficient of $10^4cm^{-1}$. In this study, the DC sputtered precursor thin films have been sulfurized using rapid thermal annealing (RTA) system in the graphite box under Ar gas atmosphere for 10 minute. The systematic variation of sulfur powder during annealing process has been carried out and their effects on the structural, morphological and optical properties of CTS thin films have been investigated. The preliminary power conversion efficiency of 1.47% with a short circuit current density of $33.9mA/cm^2$, an open circuit voltage of 159.7 mV, and a fill factor of 27% were obtained for CTS thin film annealed with 0.05g of S powder, although the processing parameter s have not yet been optimized.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.212-215
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• 2005

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common entrapment neuropathy in clinical practice, with a 0.1% life time risk in the general population. Conventional neurophysiological studies have been useful in the diagnosis of this condition, as have a number of more specialized procedures. Therefore, we evaluated the diagnostic sensitivities of several parameters in nerve conduction technique for CTS patients. We analyzed 100 patients (159 hands) who were diagnosed with CTS clinically and electrophysiolosically. Median motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities (MCV and SCV) with wrist, palm, and finger stimulation were performed in traditional methods. Sensitivities of each test were calculated and compared to normal control data. The sensitivities of existing nerve conduction method were noted in terminal latency on median nerve, 2nd finger-wrist segment, 3rd finger-wrist segment, palm-wrist segment and distoproximal ratio, as 72.96%, 92.45%, 94.34%, 94.97%, and 97.48%, respectively. In the early course of CTS, sensory nerve conductions in the median nerve are more valuable than motor nerve conduction. Sensory nerve conductions are usually affected before motor nerve conductions in CTS. In this study, we detected that slowing of median SCV was the most frequent in the distoproximal ratio.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.73-89
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• 2021

Objectives We conducted an online survey to understand the current status of Korean Medicine clinical practice related to carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) to develop the CTS Korean Medicine Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG). Methods A thoroughly reviewed questionnaire was distributed by e-mail to 21,719 Korean Medicine doctors between March 26 and April 30, 2021. All raw data were arranged and analyzed systematically. Results The response rate among the doctors was 4%. Of the respondents, 82.1% responded that it is necessary to develop the CTS Korean Medicine CPG. We also obtained data related to the specific diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis management methods used at various treatment sites for patients with CTS. Conclusions This online survey will be helpful in developing the CTS CPG, which will contribute to the standardization of guidelines and improvements in the reliability of Korean Medicine. Our findings will provide valuable data and resources for future clinical studies on CTS.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.76-83
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• 2021

While carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common entrapment neuropathy affecting the wrist, resulting in substantial physical, psychological, and economic effects, there is no gold standard therapy for CTS. In this case series study, we aimed to report CTS patients treated with Carthami Semen Pharmacopuncture (CSP) and electroacupuncture (EA) showing improvements in their symptoms, and the combinatorial effects of CSP and EA. We collected medical records of CTS outpatients who received CSP and EA at Chuku Acupuncture & Moxibustion Korean Medicine Clinic from August 2017 to September 2018. The outcome measures were the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, paresthesia, the Korean version of the Boston carpal tunnel questionnaire (K-BCTQ) score, and changes in nocturnal pain, Tinel sign, and Phalen's test. We included patient satisfaction at the completion of all treatments. 17 patients were included for this case series study. After treatment, VAS for pain decreased significantly from 50.41 ± 16.19 to 9.59 ± 9.46, VAS for paresthesia also decreased significantly from 63.50 ± 11.49 to 14.75 ± 12.97, and K-BCTQ symptom severity scale decreased from 2.48 ± 0.68 to 1.89 ± 0.70 (all p < 0.001). Nocturnal pain, Tinel signs, and Phalen's test showed improvements after all the treatments. All the patients reported favorable overall satisfaction with the treatments, and 69.23% wanted future pharmacopuncture treatments if CTS recurred. No complications were detected. The combination of CSP and EA could be an effective and safe option in treating CTS.

• Journal of Korean Library and Information Science Society
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.89-110
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• 2023

A data repository is being used as a tool for sharing and preserving research data. This study was conducted to investigate the current status of data repositories and to propose methods for obtaining Coretrustseal certification. In order to achieve the purpose of the study, the current status of data repositories in the field of Geoscience was investigated at re3data.org, and 10 best practices that obtained Coretrustseal certification were analyzed among the repositories. First, as a result of identifying the current status of repositories, the United States, Germany, and Canada accounted for 66% of the total repositories by country, and in the case of CTS certification, the proportion of the United States, Europe, and Germany was 58%. Next, as a way to secure CTS certification, necessary details and requirements in terms of data policy, organizational infrastructure, and technical infrastructure were presented. It is hoped that the results of this study will be helpful in establishing and operating domestic data repositories and obtaining CTS certification.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.33-40
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• 2020

Background: Exploratory study to investigate whether co-exposure to physical wrist stressors and chemicals is associated with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in French male farmers and agricultural workers. Methods: Cross-sectional study of 711 men aged 30-65 years and working as either farmers or agricultural workers in 2009-2010 within a cohort covered by the French Agricultural Workers' and Farmers' Mutual Benefit Fund. CTS and exposure to physical wrist stressors and chemicals were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. Associations between CTS and personal/medical factors, exposure to physical wrist stressors, exposure to chemicals, and co-exposure to physical wrist stressors and chemicals were studied using multivariate logistic regression models. Results: Forty-four men {5.6% [95% confidence interval (CI) 4.0-7.7]} reported that they had suffered from unilateral/bilateral CTS during the last 12 months. CTS was associated with age, current smoking [odds ratio (OR) = 2.1 (1.0-4.5)], and exposure to physical wrist stressors [OR = 2.6 (1.1-5.9)]. An association was found between CTS and co-exposure to physical wrist stressors and chemicals [OR = 3.3 (0.8-14.3), p = 0.044] in comparison with the no-exposure group. Conclusions: This exploratory study shows an association of CTS with exposure to biomechanical wrist stressors in male farmers and agricultural workers and suggests an association of CTS with co-exposure to physical wrist stressors and chemicals. Owing to the limitations of the study, this result must be confirmed by a prospective study with objective assessments of the outcome and exposure before drawing conclusions on the possible synergistic effects of mechanical stressors and chemicals on the impairment of the median nerve.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.114-118
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• 2002

Backgrounds : Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common condition that is usually diagnosed by electrophysiologic studies. However, CTS provide limited information to determine the causes of CTS and to choose the treatment method. We evaluated diagnostic sensitivity of MR imaging and treatment decisions by MR imaging in electrodiagnosed CTS. Methods : 14 patients (26 wrists) with electrodiagnosed CTS were studied using MR imaging. In 26 wrists for which axial T1 & T2 weighted images were obtained at 1.5T with a decided wrist coil. Previously described MR imaging of CTS such as increased median nerve signal, flattening of median nerve, reticular bowing, tenosynovitis and space occupying lesions were retrospectively evaluated. Degree of improvement was evaluated by global symptom score (GSS). The GSS rated symptoms from 0 (no symptoms) to 10 (severe) in each of five categories: pain, numbness, paresthesia, weakness/clumsiness, and nocturnal awakening. Subjects' GSS was recorded at baseline, 2 weeks, 1 month, 6 months after treatment. We decided to medical treatment that showed mainly inflammatory sign such as increased median nerve signal, tenosinovitis and to surgical treatment such as space occupying lesion, high canal pressure sign. Results : MR imaging showed that increased median nerve signal were in 20 wrists (77%), flattening of median nerve were in 6 wrists (23%), reticular bowing were in 3 wrists (12%), tenosynovitis were in 8 wrists (32%), decreased canal size in 2 wrists (7.6%), space occupying lesion were in 1 wrist (4%). A good outcome was revealed in 21 wrists by medical treatment that showed mainly increased median nerve signal, tenosynovitis. The mean GSS were 27.7 at baseline, 11.2 at 2 weeks, 11.0 at 6 months in medical treatment group. Another 5 wrist had surgical treatment shown by ganglion and high canal pressure sign such as median nerve flattening, reticular bowing, decreased canal size: 3 wrists had good prognosis, but 2 wrists (one patient) had no significant improvement due to small carpal tunnel size. Conclusions : Our results are in agreement with most previously described MR imaging signs of CTS. MR imaging plays an important role in several cases and especially in the assessment of failure of surgical treatment. Knowledge of MR findings may permit more rational choice of treatment.