Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The case history is the cornerstone for the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The value of neurological examination in CTS seems limited. In this study, we investigated the interobserver agreement in case history of CTS and the potential additional value of neurological examination.
METHODS
Case history was taken and neurological examination was done in all patients referred for a possible CTS during a 6-month period. This was done independently by 2 senior neurologists.
RESULTS
We studied 119 patients. The interobserver agreement for the conclusion of CTS after history was high (k = 0.79). Neurological examination rarely changed the diagnosis based on the case history.
CONCLUSIONS
This study shows a high interobserver agreement in the diagnosis of CTS based on patient history alone. Neurological examination rarely changed this diagnosis, suggesting a prominent role for the case history and a limited role for neurological examination. This may have practical implications.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Westerman D, Kerkhoff H, Visser GH, Kleyweg RP

Institution

Department of Neurology, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Dordrecht, the Netherlands.

Source

Journal of clinical neuromuscular disease 13:4 2012 Jun pg 196-200

MeSH

Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Decision Making
Diagnosis, Differential
Electric Stimulation
Electrodiagnosis
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Neural Conduction
Neurologic Examination
Questionnaires
Reaction Time
Retrospective Studies
Young Adult

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22622163