The conventional nerve conduction study measures only the maximal conduction velocity, which represents a minority of the fastest conducting fibers in human peripheral nerve. Therefore, it is unable to detect pathology of majority of nerve fibers
with
submaximal conduction velocities. To evaluate the diagnostic vale of minimal conduction velocity in early phase of diabetic neuropathy, we measured the maximal and minimal motor conduction velocities of ulnar and peroneal nerves on 20 normal
adults(Control group), 20 diabetic patients (Group I) who revealed normal findings in conventional electrodiagnostic procedures, and 40 diabetic patients(Group II) who revealed abnormal findings.
@ES The results were as follows:
@EN 1) The fasting blood sugar and blood sugar level of PC2hours were not significantly different between group I and group II. The HbAIC level was significantly higher in group II.
2) The mean maximal and minimal conduction velocity of ulnar nerve were 69.00±6.21 m/sec, 51.49±4.23 m/sec in control group, 61.84±6.06 m/sec, 45.22±6.34 m/sec in group I and 54.53±6.68 m/sec 39.80±6.74 m/sec in group II.
3) The mean maximal and minimal conduction velocity of peroneal nerve were 59.71±6.23 m/sec, 44.76±1.94 m/sec in control group, 52.34±5.88 m/sec, 38.20±5.08 m/sec in group I and 45.23±4.82 m/sec, 32.59±4.01 m/sec in group II.
4) In comparison of group I and group II, the maximal and minimal conduction velocities were significantly slower in group II in ulnar & peronel nerves(P<0.01).
In comparison of control and group I, the maximal & minimal conduction velocities were significantly slower in group I in ulnar nerve and only the minimal conduction velocity was significantly slower in group I in peroneal nerve(P<0.01).
Thus, only the minimal conduction velocity revealed signficant differences in nerves in group comparisons.
5) In group II, the maximal and minimal conduction velocities were not significantly different according to the abnormal findings of conventional nerve conduction study.
There findings indicate that the measurement of minimal conduction velocities using Hopf's collision technique in detecting early stage of polyneuropathy which is not detected by conventional nerve conduction study.
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