Correlation of Ultrasonography and MRI with Electrodiagnostic Studies in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Background: One controversial question in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) diagnosis is whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and Ultrasound (US) imaging tools have any relationship with electrodiagnostic (EDX) study. The objective of this study is to determine the possible correlation between MRI and US measurements with EDX parameters. Methods: Both US and MRI of the median nerve were simultaneously performed in 12 confirmed CTS wrists, at two levels of forearm distal fold (proximal) and the hook of the hamate (distal), to measure various anatomic parameters of the nerve. EDX parameters of median motor distal latency (DL) and median sensory proximal latency (PL) were evaluated in milliseconds. Results: Nerve cross-sectional area (CSA), measured by MRI, correlated with sensory PL at distal level (p = 0.015). At proximal level MRI, nerve width and width to height ratio also correlated with motor DL (p = 0.033 and 0.021, respectively). Median nerve CSA proximal to distal ratio correlated with sensory PL (p = 0.028) at MRI. No correlation was found between US and EDX measurements. Conclusions: Median nerve MRI measurement of nerve CSA at hook of the hamate (distal) level or CSA proximal to distal ratio correlated with EDX parameter of sensory PL. On the other hand, nerve MRI width and width to height ratio at distal level correlated with motor DL in EDX. Level of Evidence: Level III (Diagnostic).

Association of psychological factors with limb disability in patients with cervical radiculopathy: comparison with carpal tunnel syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Regarding musculoskeletal conditions, patient's psychological distress, are shown to be associated with higher disability. Cervical radiculopathy (CR) and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), are two conditions caused by entrapment of cervical nerve roots and carpal median nerve, respectively. This study aims to investigate the association of psychological factors including depression, anxiety, and pain catastrophizing, with measures of upper limb patient-reported and performance-based disability, in patients with CR, and compare the obtained results with our similar study on CTS. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, we recruited 92 patients with CR, and investigated their disability level using patient-reported questionnaires (Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) and pain Likert Scale) and by measuring grip and pinch strength. We also assessed their psychological status with Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale questionnaire for depression (HADS-D) and anxiety (HADS-A) and also Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) tools. We performed correlational coefficient analysis between disability and psychological scores and regression analysis of dependent variables (Pain, DASH, grip and pinch scores) and independent (psychological) variables. Finally, Z observed value was calculated to compare correlational coefficients between two diseases of CTS and CR. RESULTS: The results of the correlational coefficient analysis indicate that all three HADS-A, HADS-D and PCS scores correlated with DASH score (r = 0.49, 0.37, 0.38 for HADS-A, HADS-D and PCS, respectively; p < 0.001 for all three). HADS-A also significantly correlated with VAS pain score (r = 0.41, P < 0.001) and grip strength (r = - 0.25, P = 0.016). Linear regression analysis revealed that anxiety has a notable value for DASH and VAS pain scores as well as grip strength. Fisher's r correlation coefficient to z transformation, revealed that there was no difference between two diseases of CTS and CR in terms of the resulted r coefficients from correlational coefficient analysis between disability and psychological distress. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that psychological disorders are associated with disability in CR patients, with anxiety also correlating with objective disability parameter of grip strength. Finally, both CTS and CR patients' disabilities associate with anxiety, depression, and catastrophysing thinking in a similar manner. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV (cross-sectional study).

Which Psychological and Electrodiagnostic Factors Are Associated With Limb Disability in Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

BACKGROUND: It has been observed that patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) who also experience emotional distress, depression, or anxiety report more severe symptoms. As patients' own perspectives about their health increasingly are guiding treatment decisions, it seems important to study the simultaneous association of psychological distress and neuropathology with hand disability in patients who have CTS, as this may help prioritize and sequence management steps. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: What are the relationships among validated scores for (1) depression, (2) anxiety, (3) pain catastrophizing, and (4) nerve electrodiagnostic severity with measures of hand disability in patients with confirmed CTS? METHODS: Between 2017 and 2019, we evaluated 116 patients for CTS in a referral urban hospital in Mashhad, Iran. Of those, we considered 85% (99) as potentially eligible by considering the following Electromyography-Nerve Conduction Study (EMG-NCS) diagnostic criteria: sensory latency ≥ 3.5 Ms, median-ulnar latency difference ≥ 0.5 Ms, motor latency ≥ 4.2 Ms, and abnormal EMG findings in the opponens pollicis muscle (neurogenic motor unit action potentials, positive sharp waves, or fibrillation). A further 13% (15 of 116) were excluded because of nonidiopathic CTS and prior surgery, and another 12% (14 of 116) were lost because of incomplete datasets, leaving 60% (70 of 116) for final inclusion in this cross-sectional study. In all, 89% of patients were women with total mean age of 47 years. We measured depression and anxiety using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire (scored from 0 to 21, with a minimum clinically important difference [MCID] of 1.7 points), and we evaluated patients' state of mind regarding pain using the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) (scored from 0 to 52). Higher scores on these questionnaires represent more distress and pain catastrophizing. Hand disability was assessed with Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) questionnaire outcomes (scored from 0 [no disability] to 100 [most severe disability]; MCID of 15 points), Likert pain score (from 0 to 10), and grip/pinch dynamometry results. Correlational analyses were conducted once among HADS and PCS scores and again among EMG-NCS indices with pain and disability variables to answer our first, third, and fourth questions, respectively. Regression analysis was performed to assess the percentage of variance in QuickDASH and pain severity, which could be explained by psychological and electrodiagnostic factors. We did not include grip and pinch in our multivariable model (regression analysis) as dependent variables because they did not correlate with any of psychological or EMG-NCS variables (all p values > 0.1). Significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Correlational analysis showed that the scores of all three psychological questionnaires correlated with the QuickDASH score (r = 0.50, 0.42, and 0.53 for HADS-A, HADS-D, and PCS, respectively; p < 0.001 for all three), while EMG-NCS parameters had no correlation with QuickDASH and pain scores. We also found that 37% of the variance in QuickDASH score can be explained by HADS and PCS scores (r2 = 0.37; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Evaluation and treatment of psychological distress before deciding on elective surgery for CTS is important because patient-reported disability-often used as a factor in surgical decision-making-is substantially correlated with emotional distress. Future prospective, controlled studies on this topic are recommended; ideally, these should evaluate psychological interventions specifically to ascertain whether they improve patients' ratings of hand disability. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, prognostic study.

Do carpal Tunnel Hands Have Different Shape Compare to Normal Hands?

BACKGROUND: Given the fact that the carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) happens as a consequence of the median nerve entrapment, besides other known factors, the shape and anthropometric characteristics of the carpal tunnel, wrist, and hand could be considered as a predisposing risk factor for idiopathic CTS. The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphology and radiologic scales in CTS hands. METHODS: In this prospective study, patients who underwent upper extremity electrodiagnostic studies were enrolled for hand morphologic and radiographic indexes. Patients were divided into CTS suffering and CTS symptom-free groups according to nerve conduction velocity (NCV) findings. A true posteroanterior radiograph of the hands was pas performed for each participant. Metacarpal length to wrist length index (carpal ratio), metacarpal length to metacarpal width index, third to first metacarpal length, hand length index, and hand volume index were measured in both groups. RESULTS: Significant differences were seen between the two groups regarding the body mass index (P< 0.001), metacarpal length divided by metacarpal width index (P=0.08), first metacarpal length divided by third metacarpal length (P=0.002), wrist circumference divided by distal flexor wrist crease to the tip of the third finger (P< 0.001), distal flexor wrist crease to the tip of the third finger divided by hand volume (P=0.05), and distal flexor wrist crease to the tip of the third finger divided by wrist circumference (P< 0.001). Multivariable analysis of hand indices were statically significant for the first metacarpal length divided by third metacarpal length (P=0.00), wrist circumference divided by distal flexor wrist crease to the tip of the third finger (P=0.138), and distal flexor wrist crease to the tip of the third finger divided by wrist circumference (P=0.117). However, first metacarpal length divided by third metacarpal length and third metacarpal length divided by palm height were associated with higher CTS occurrences. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated cutoff points which were possible to estimate only for first metacarpal length divided by third metacarpal length and wrist circumference divided by distal flexor wrist crease to the tip of the third finger. CONCLUSION: Based on our findings, CTS hand is characterized by shorter fingers compared to thumb and wrist (metacarpal length to wrist length and hand length indexes), wider (metacarpal length to metacarpal width index), and bulkier (hand volume index) compared to non-CTS hands. The severity of CTS was correlated with a higher carpal ratio. In conclusion, CTS hands are bulkier with wider palms and shorter fingers compared to thumb. In this study, the thumb to the third metacarpal length was proved to be the best index for diagnosis of "CTS hand".

The Effect of Fun Physical Activities on Sarcopenia Progression among Elderly Residents in Nursing Homes: a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Introduction: Immobilization in the elderly can reduce the size and strength of muscle mass and ultimately lead to sarcopenia, the severity and progression of which can be prevented by exercise. However, due to physical and mental conditions, the elderly may be unable to take full advantage of regular exercise. Therefore, fun exercise through motivation and effective participation of older adults is likely to have positive effects on decreasing the volume and power of muscle mass. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of fun physical activities on the progression of sarcopenia among elderly residents in nursing homes. Methods: This study was a two-group randomized controlled trial conducted in 2014. Sixty three older adults were recruited by the random sampling. The elderly in the fun physical exercise group did the exercise for 8 weeks, three times a week for 20 minutes at a time, and in the control group, the adults did the routine exercises. The Berg Balance Scale, a dynamometer, and the Six-Minute Walk Test were used to measure sarcopenia criteria (balance, muscle strength, distance traveled).The statistical analysis was done by SPSS version 13. Results: The results showed that the mean score of the sarcopenia criterion (balance, distance walked, muscles strength) was significantly increased in the fun physical exercise group than in the control group. Conclusion: The fun physical activity reduces sarcopenia progression through improving balance, increasing distances walked, and strengthening muscles.

Investigation of the Effect of Hypnotic Anesthesia on Nerve Conduction Velocity (NCV).

BACKGROUND: Hypnosis is a psychological method used for treatment of different types of disorders and illnesses. This technique is also used in surgical interventions. Many studies proved the efficacy of hypnosis in medical treatment. However, the mechanism of hypnosis is unclear for scientists. To find out if the peripheral nervous system has a role in hypnotic anesthesia, we aimed to investigate the effect of hypnotic anesthesia on nerve conduction velocity (NCV). METHODS: In this study, healthy volunteers with high hypnotizability entered the study. First, The NCV test was performed in both hands of participants and then they all underwent hypnosis. Hypnotic anesthesia was induced in the right hand of all subjects followed by painful stimuli in their hand by vascular clasping. Then, the NCV test was repeated in both hands again. Data were analyzed by SPSS version16. RESULTS: The group study consisted of 13 (65%) women and 7 (35%) men with their age ranging between 14 to 52 years. According to the results, the mean values of sensory latency, and NCV changed from 3.225 ms and 54.355 m/s before hypnotic anesthesia to 3.32 ms and 55.3 m/s after hypnotic anesthesia in right hand, respectively. Results showed that there was a significant difference between data before and after hypnotic induction (P < 0.001). The covariance test also indicated a significant difference between the data obtained from both hands (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to our hypothesis, the NCV test showed an increase after the hypnotic anesthesia. However, increase in NCV did not lead to experience pain after the painful stimuli. It seems that central nervous system should be involved in this process.

Femoral Nerve Palsy Following Delayed Reduction of a Dislocated Hip in a 44- Year-old Man.

INTRODUCTION: Incidence of nerve injury in traumatic hip dislocations is up to 10 %. Sciatic nerve is the most common injured nerve in this setting. In the medical literature, there are few documented cases of femoral nerve injury following hip dislocations. CASE REPORT: We report a 44-year-old man with right femoral nerve palsy following delayed reduction of an anterior dislocation of hip. CONCLUSION: Two months after closed reduction, complete clinical recovery of right femoral nerve was achieved and the patient was able to resume his job.