Electrophysiologic Characteristics of Combined IdiopathicCarpal Tunnel Syndrome and Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome |
Sung-Hyouk Kim, Ji-Won Yang, Young-Hee Sung, and Kee-Hyung Park |
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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 relationshipbetween idiopathic CTS and TTS without definite evidence of coexistence. The current study was designed to analyze theelectrophysiologic 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 toFebruary 2009. Patients with each idiopathic CTS or TTS were collected as controls. Electrophysiologic data of median and plantarnerves were compared between CTS-TTS group and controls. Results: CTS-TTS group was composed of 31 patients. Control groupof each CTS or TTS were 50 CTS and 49 TTS patients. In comparison of median nerve conduction study between CTS-TTS groupand CTS control group, decreased compound muscle action potential amplitude (p<0.001), decreased median sensory nerve actionpotential amplitude (p<0.001) and sensory nerve conduction velocity at finger stimulation (p=0.013) were prominent in CTS-TTSgroup. Decreased medial plantar sensory nerve action potential amplitude (p=0.034) was indicated when CTS-TTS groups and TTScontrol group were compared. Conclusions: If the electrophysiology study of patients with CTS or TTS was suggestive of severe degreeof nerve injury, concerns about the possibility of combined CTS and TTS would be helpful. |
Key words:
Idiopathic, Carpal tunnel syndrome, Tarsal tunnel syndrome, Relationship, Combined |
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