Thermography in the detection of carpal tunnel syndrome and other compressive neuropathies.

Studies were conducted using liquid crystal thermography (FlexiTherm) and electronic thermography for the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome. Studies were also conducted to differentiate carpal tunnel syndrome from peripheral neurovascular injuries. Ninety patients were included in the study, with an average follow-up time of 24 months. Fifty patients also had electric studies for comparison and contrast. Thermal patterns of carpal tunnel syndrome showed a decreased vascular heat emission pattern over the median nerve distribution. The procedures using thermography consisted of imaging of the cervical spine, shoulders, forearms, and hands by Wexlerian guidelines to obtain diagnostic thermograms and a stress series. Results of the studies showed that thermographic studies were efficacious and sensitive for the differential diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome from other peripheral compressive neuropathies, including cervical radiculitis, thoracic outlet syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, and Guyon's canal syndrome. Biomechanic and etiologic factors indict carpal tunnel syndrome to be an occupational disease. Thermographic technique use may lead to the early diagnosis, treatment, and preventative measures that could eliminate the high cost of manpower loss and of medical care often concomitant with carpal tunnel syndrome.

[1]  P Ohlin,et al.  Pressure and nerve lesion in the carpal tunnel. , 1983, Acta orthopaedica Scandinavica.

[2]  M. Botte,et al.  Carpal tunnel syndrome. An evaluation of the provocative diagnostic tests. , 1986, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.

[3]  A. Rosenberg,et al.  Ulnar nerve involvement in carpal tunnel syndrome. , 1986, Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation.

[4]  L. Hirsh,et al.  Carpal tunnel syndrome. Avoiding poor treatment results. , 1985, Postgraduate medicine.

[5]  D B Chaffin,et al.  Some biomechanical aspects of the carpal tunnel. , 1979, Journal of biomechanics.

[6]  R. E. Carroll,et al.  The relationship of the double crush to carpal tunnel syndrome (an analysis of 1,000 cases of carpal tunnel syndrome). , 1985, Journal of hand surgery.

[7]  M L Bleecker,et al.  Carpal tunnel syndrome , 1985, Neurology.

[8]  Howard Fm.  Controversies in nerve entrapment syndromes in the forearm and wrist. , 1986 .

[9]  J. Stallworth,et al.  Diagnosis and management of thoracic outlet syndrome. , 1984, Archives of surgery.

[10]  M. Aminoff.  Involvement of peripheral vasomotor fibres in carpal tunnel syndrome. , 1979, Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry.

[11]  D. Chaffin,et al.  Carpal tunnel syndrome and selected personal attributes. , 1979, Journal of occupational medicine. : official publication of the Industrial Medical Association.

[12]  P. Meyers,et al.  Liquid crystal thermography of the spine and extremities. Its value in the diagnosis of spinal root syndromes. , 1982, Journal of neurosurgery.

[13]  R. E. Carroll,et al.  The relationship of thoracic outlet syndrome and carpal tunnel syndrome. , 1982, Clinical orthopaedics and related research.

[14]  D. Louis,et al.  Symptomatic relief following carpal tunnel decompression with normal electroneuromyographic studies. , 1987, Orthopedics.

[15]  D. Faithfull,et al.  Occupational repetition strain injuries , 1984 .

[16]  R. F. Morgan,et al.  Anatomic localization of sympathetic nerves in the hand. , 1983, The Journal of hand surgery.

[17]  R. Pochaczevsky.  The value of liquid crystal thermography in the diagnosis of spinal root compression syndromes. , 1983, The Orthopedic clinics of North America.