Prevalence of the absence of palmaris longus muscle assessed by a new examination test (Hiz-Ediz Test) in the population residing in the area of Van, Turkey

Objectives: The primary goal of this trial was to show the compatibility between a new test technique (Hiz-Ediz test) for detection of palmaris longus muscle (PLM) agenesis, which we recently developed, and the former tests, the Schaeffer and Mishra's second tests. Materials and methods: One thousand cases were enrolled in this trial. Schaeffer's test, Mishra's second test and Hiz-Ediz tests were applied to all cases. Examinations were performed to determine differences between genders and both hands. Consistency between all three tests was investigated. Results: In the Hiz-Ediz test, PLM agenesis was determined in 15.1%. No significant difference was found between the rates of unilateral and bilateral tendon agenesis determined by three tests (p>0.05). When the consistency of the three tests was evaluated using the kappa test, full consistency was determined between Mishra's second and the Hiz-Ediz test; however, full consistency was not determined between the Schaffer's and the other two tests. But, no statistical difference was found between the three tests. Conclusion: Our results indicate that the prevalence of PLM agenesis is consistent with the available data. The Hiz-Ediz test can be applied easily and safely to determine and to visualize the PLM agenesis, when compared to the Mishra's second test and the Schaeffer's test.