Electrodiagnostic reports of median neuropathy at the wrist

The diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is confirmed by electrodiagnostic testing. Practice parameters for electrodiagnostic testing of CTS have been defined in a summary statement published by the American Academy of Neurology, the American Association of Electrodiagnostic Medicine, and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. All members of the Industrial Injuries and Prevention Committee of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand provided electrodiagnostic reports from their office practices indicating an electrodiagnosis of CTS or median neuropathy at the wrist. One hundred consecutive reports were analyzed to determine how often these electrodiagnostic studies adhered to the standards and guidelines of the summary statement. Variability in the thoroughness of the studies, hence in the quality of information in the reports, was noted. The clinical implications of this survey are that some patients were diagnosed and treated for CTS who did not have median neuropathy at the wrist.