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Hand & Upper Limb
intermediate
X-Type

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Diagnosis

Nerve Compression

A 52-year-old woman presents with a 6-month history of numbness and tingling in her thumb, index, and middle fingers. Symptoms are worse at night and she often wakes up having to shake her hand. She has recently noticed weakness when buttoning clothes. Examination reveals decreased sensation in the thumb, index, and middle fingers, positive Phalen test, and mild thenar wasting. She works as a supermarket checkout operator. Regarding carpal tunnel syndrome:

Mark each as TRUE or FALSE

A

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common compressive neuropathy; the median nerve is compress...

B

Clinical examination: Phalen test (wrist flexion for 60 seconds reproduces symptoms, sensitivity 70%...

C

CTS is the least common compressive neuropathy; the ulnar nerve is compressed in the carpal tunnel; ...

D

Electrodiagnostic studies (nerve conduction studies and EMG): gold standard for confirming diagnosis...

E

Differential diagnosis includes C6/C7 cervical radiculopathy (neck pain, dermatomal sensory loss, re...

Answer the questions to see explanations

Click T (True) or F (False) for each option