Neurophysiologic Pattern and Severity Grading Scale of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Sudanese Patients

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Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most frequent compression-induced neuropathy, where the median nerve is compressed at the wrist causing sensory and motor deficits. It is more common in females than males and accounts for a higher number of days off work than all other work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Objectives: The aim of this study is to describe electrophysiological criteria for diagnosis of CTS among Sudanese patients, to classify patients with CTS according to severity based on NCS results and clinical presentation, and to determine the age group most affected beyond finding any gender difference. Material and methods: This is a retrospective analytic electrophyisologic study performed in 671 clinically diagnosed CTS patients. NCS was performed in more than 1089 hands which included the median and ulnar nerves. Onset and peak latencies, amplitude, conduction velocity, F waves and distance were calculated. Result and discussion: Out of 671patients with CTS; females were 81.7% and males were 18.3%. The most affected age group was (48-58) years. The classic history of CTS was reported by 484 patients, Parasethisa was reported by 339 patients (70%), Parasethisa and pain 205 patients (42.3%), diurnal day and night pain by 127 patients (26%), nocturnal pain only by 283 patients (57%), and numbness by 340 patients (70.2%). Weakness of abductor policis brevis (APB) muscle was found in 127 patients (26%), of these 78 patients showed wasting of the same muscle (16%). Conclusion: Beside the Italian and Canterbury grading of CTS, a new modified scale was adopted in our patients rated as very mild, mild, mild to moderate, moderate, moderate to severe, severe, and very severe.