J Korean Acad Rehabil Med.  1998 Aug;22(4):889-894.

Pitfalls in Superficial Radial Sensory Nerve Conduction Study

• Kim MO

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To investigate the possibility of volume conduction in the superficial radial sensory nerve conduction study in patients with a complete radial nerve injury. METHOD: In patients with a complete radial neuropathy, a superficial radial sensory nerve conduction study was carried out by an antidromic and orthodromic methods. Antidromic technique was carried out by increasing stimulus intensity gradually. Median palmar cutaneous nerve conduction study was also carried out by an antidromic method.
RESULTS
When the stimulus intensity was significantly higher than the optimal technique, a median palmar cutaneous nerve action potential was evoked instead of the superficial radial nerve action potential. This is a volume conducting potential which occurrs following a high intensity stimulus.
CONCLUSION
Superficial radial sensory conduction study must be carried out by an optimal stimulus intensity and an orthodromic method to eliminate the effect of volume conduction.

Keyword

Superficial radial sensory nerve conduction; Volume conduction

MeSH Terms

Action Potentials
Humans
Neural Conduction*
Radial Nerve
Radial Neuropathy