J Clin Neurol.  2015 Apr;11(2):178-182. 10.3988/jcn.2015.11.2.178.

The Usefulness of Proximal Radial Motor Conduction in Acute Compressive Radial Neuropathy

• Kim KH
• Park KD
• Chung PW
• Moon HS
• Kim YB
• Yoon WT
• Park HJ
• Suh BC

• KMID: 2242663
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3988/jcn.2015.11.2.178

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The objective of this study was to determine diagnostic and prognostic values of proximal radial motor conduction in acute compressive radial neuropathy.
METHODS
Thirty-nine consecutive cases of acute compressive radial neuropathy with radial conduction studies-including stimulation at Erb's point-performed within 14 days from clinical onset were reviewed. The radial conduction data of 39 control subjects were used as reference data.
RESULTS
Thirty-one men and eight women (age, 45.2+/-12.7 years, mean+/-SD) were enrolled. All 33 patients in whom clinical follow-up data were available experienced complete recovery, with a recovery time of 46.8+/-34.3 days. Partial conduction block was found frequently (17 patients) on radial conduction studies. The decrease in the compound muscle action potential area between the arm and Erb's point was an independent predictor for recovery time.
CONCLUSIONS
Proximal radial motor conduction appears to be a useful method for the early detection and prediction of prognosis of acute compressive radial neuropathy.

Keyword

radial neuropathy; nerve conduction study; conduction block; diagnosis; prognosis

MeSH Terms

Action Potentials
Arm
Diagnosis
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Male
Prognosis
Radial Neuropathy*

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Radial nerve conduction study with stimulation at Erb's point. Representative responses of partial conduction block between the arm and Erb's point in a patient with acute compressive radial neuropathy (A), and normal conduction findings in a control subject (B).

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