Dorsal Ulnar Cutaneous Nerve Conduction Studies in an Asymptomatic Population

Objectives: To establish the average distal sensory latency and amplitude of the dorsal ulnar cutaneous nerve under controlled temperature and settings.

Design: Dorsal ulnar cutaneous nerve conduction studies were performed with a bar electrode between the fourth and fifth metacarpals. The nerve was stimulated at 8 and 10cm from the active electrode. The temperature of the limbs under study was kept at 32 degrees C to 35 degrees C.

Participants: Fifty-four arms of 27 subjects were studied.

Results: Results showed that distal sensory latencies were normally distributed. The average distal sensory latencies at 8cm and 10cm were 1.84 +/- .20msec and 2.09 +/- .21msec, respectively, with average amplitudes of 26.5 +/- 9.7microV and 23.5 +/- 8.8microV. Comparison with a previously reported study in which the limb temperature was not controlled showed a statistically significant difference.

Conclusion: It is important to use standardized technique and to measure and maintain optimal temperature of the arm under study to prevent erroneous results and misdiagnosis.