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| Authors | L A Galea J Agius C Bezzina C Sciberras |
| Abstract | Introduction: Although thenar atrophy is caused by a variety of clinical conditions, it is commonly associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. So far thenar atrophy has been assessed subjectively. Aims: a) To test a simple, novel, objective and quantitative test for the assessment of thenar atrophy, b) Correlate this objective test with subjective evaluation of thenar atrophy. Patients and Methods: The apparatus consists of a box with a clear glass sheet on the top uncovered surface, with a digital camera placed in the base of the box. 45 hands of 23 healthy volunteers and 23 hands with clinical evidence of thenar atrophy of 12 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome were recruited. Thenar atrophy was classified subjectively as mild, moderate and severe. Patients and subjects were asked to press their hands facing down on the glass sheet and digital photos were taken. The technique relies on the fact that the area where pressure is exerted on the palm blanches. Photos were transferred to photo processing software. After enhancement the photos were transferred to an image analysis software. The thenar area (A) and the rest of the palm area (B) were measured. The thenar ratio was calculated as A divided by B. Results: Hands with thenar atrophy had a statistically significant lower thenar ratio than healthy hands (0.190.09 vs 0.300.07; P value <0.0001). So far, the subjective assessment of atrophy cannot be correlated with the objective test. Conclusion: This method can be a possible objective test for thenar atrophy. |
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| Journal | Malta Medical Journal |
| Volume | 15 Issue 1-2/suppl. 2003 |
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| Key words | objective testing, thenar atrophy |