Sonographic differences in carpal tunnel syndrome with normal and abnormal nerve conduction studies. (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Borire, Adeniyi A.; Hughes, Andrew R.; Lueck, Christian J.; Colebatch, James G.; Krishnan, Arun V.
• Is Part Of: Journal of clinical neuroscience. Volume 34(2016:Dec.)
• Page Start: 77
• Page End: 80
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Carpal tunnel syndrome -- Cross-sectional area -- Median nerve -- Nerve conduction studies -- Ultrasound; Brain -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Neurosciences -- Periodicals; Nervous system -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Brain -- surgery -- Periodicals; Neurosurgical Procedures -- Periodicals; Neurosciences -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2016.05.024
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0967-5868

Abstract

Highlights: Median nerve cross-sectional area is smaller in nerve conduction studies (NCS)-negative patients than in positive patients. These sonographic differences have been proven in a cohort of mild Carpal tunnel syndrome patients. A third of NCS-negative patients had ultrasound abnormalities. Abstract: We evaluated the differences in sonographic parameters in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) patients with normal and mildly abnormal nerve conduction studies (NCS). This was a prospective cross-sectional study. We assessed 169 wrists (101 patients) with a clinical diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), as well as 20 healthy controls (40 wrists). 49 wrists were classified as mild NCS-positive and 38 as NCS-negative based on our laboratory NCS normal values. The cross-sectional area (CSA) of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel inlet and mid-forearm were measured and the wrist-to-forearm ratio (WFR) was calculated. 26% of the NCS-negative group had abnormal CSA. The CSA and WFR also differed significantly between the two groups. There was significant correlation between the sonographic and electrophysiologic variables. Ultrasound was diagnostic for CTS in a third of the NCS-negative wrists. Ultrasound may be useful in clinical CTS patients with normal or borderline NCS.