Utility of Quantitative Electromyography in the Evaluation of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

J Korean Assoc EMG Electrodiagn Med 2007;9(1):36-42.
Published online May 10, 2007.

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate quantitative electromyography (QEMG) of carpal tunnel syndrome. Methods: Thirty six healthy controls and 24 patients who were diagnosed having carpal tunnel syndrome were included in this study. The quantitative EMG study of abductor pollicis longus (APB) muscles were performed in both control and patients group. Turns, activity, mean amplitude, envelop amplitude and number of small segments (NSS) were obtained automatically. Results: Mean amplitude and envelop amplitude were likely to be located in left-upper quadrant of normal cloud and NSS were in right lower quadrant in some cases. However the differences were not statistically significant. Disease duration and unit residue of each parameter (mean amplitude, envelop amplitude and NSS) did not have close correlation. Conclusion: In this study, quantitative EMG has limited value in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Key Words: Carpal tunnel syndrome, Quantitative electromyography