Accuracy of high‐resolution ultrasonography in establishing the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of high‐resolution ultrasonography in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Methods It included 50 patients with signs and symptoms suggestive of CTS and 50 individuals as control group. Cross‐sectional area of median nerve at th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:ANZ journal of surgery 2020-06, Vol.90 (6), p.1057-1061
Main Authors: Aggarwal, Purnima, Jirankali, Vivek, Garg, Sudhir K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accuracy
carpal tunnel
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - diagnostic imaging
Diagnosis
Diagnostic systems
Humans
Median nerve
Median Nerve - diagnostic imaging
Nerve conduction
Neural Conduction
Overuse injuries
radiodiagnosis
Sensitivity
Sensitivity and Specificity
Signs and symptoms
Ultrasonic imaging
Ultrasonography
Wrist
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Summary:Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of high‐resolution ultrasonography in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Methods It included 50 patients with signs and symptoms suggestive of CTS and 50 individuals as control group. Cross‐sectional area of median nerve at the inlet of carpal tunnel was measured in control as well as symptomatic group by ultrasonography. In addition, nerve conduction studies (NCS) were carried out in the symptomatic group. Radiologists performing the ultrasonography were blinded to the results of NCS. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of ultrasonography and NCS in the diagnosis of CTS were calculated and compared. Results In control group, cross‐sectional area of the median nerve ranged between 5 and 7.3 mm2, whereas in the symptomatic group it varied from 8.4 to 16.5 mm2. It was >9 mm2 in 47 patients. With a cut‐off of 9 mm2, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of ultrasonography in diagnosing CTS were 95%, 100% and 97%, respectively. NCS was diagnostic of CTS in 48 (96%) patients. Conclusion Ultrasonographic examination gives similar results to NCS in establishing diagnosis of CTS and can be used as a screening modality with further use of NCS in cases where ultrasonography is non‐diagnostic. Ultrasonographic examination gives similar results to nerve conduction study in establishing diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome.
ISSN:1445-1433
1445-2197
DOI:10.1111/ans.15704