Normative data of upper limb nerve conduction studies in healthy adult population of Haryana

Abstract

Background: The nerve condition velocity depends on the diameter, the degree of myelination, and internodal distance. It is also affected by physiological variables such as age, temperature, height, gender, and limb and also affected by ethnicity and food habits. Every neurophysiology laboratory needs to have its own normative data for its population required in clinical practice to identify the abnormalities. Aims and Objective: The objective of this study was to get normative data of upper limb nerve conduction in Haryana population and to compare our values with worldwide published data. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in randomized selected 120 healthy subjects of both sexes of the general population who were between the ages of 18 and 70 years using PC based Neurostem-2 machine with silver electrode. Nerve conduction properties were evaluated for median and ulnar nerve on both sides using standard techniques of supramaximal percutaneous stimulation with a constant current stimulator and surface recording electrode for both nerves of each subject. Parameters included are distal motor latency (DML), amplitude, and conduction velocity (CV). Results: In the right median nerve, DML was 2.9 ± 0.58, the amplitude was 11.72 ± 5.22, and the CV was 52.58 ± 6.62. In the left median nerve, DML was 2.88 ± 0.61, the amplitude was 12.32 ± 5.44, and the CV was 52.48 ± 5.92. In the right ulnar nerve, DML was 2.07 ± 0.44, the amplitude was 10.02 ± 3.22, and the CV was 53.28 ± 6.62. In the left ulnar nerve, DML was 2.11 ± 0.52, the amplitude was 9.8 ± 2.88, and the CV was 52.18 ± 5.32. Conclusions: Normative conduction parameter of the median and ulnar nerve in the upper limb was established for neurophysiology laboratory of SGT Medical College, Hospital and Research Institute, Gurgaon.