[Sensory nerve conduction of upper extremity nerves in degenerative cervical vertebral disease].

Sensory conduction was measured in the median, ulnar and radial nerves in patients with clinical and radiological evidence of degenerative disease of cervical spine. A significant reduction of conduction velocity and decreased amplitude of action potentials in nerves were demonstrated. In the group of 50 patients in only one case no changes in sensory conduction in upper extremity nerves were found. In the remaining 49 cases reduction of conduction velocity in sensory nerves or decreased amplitude of nerve action potentials were found in at least one of these nerves. Since evident disturbances in sensory conduction were observed even in the extremities without any subjective or objective abnormalities it may be supposed that determination of sensory nerve conduction in upper extremities may be an adjunct method in early diagnosis of degenerative cervical vertebral disease.