Ultrasonography as a tool in diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome

ABSTRACT

Objective

We aimed to determine the value of ultrasonography (US) in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

Methods

Two hundred patients (400 hands) were submitted to wrist US to measure median nerve area (MNA), questioning on paresthesia and pain in the median nerve territory, Tinel and Phalen maneuvers. An MNA >9 mm² was considered diagnostic of CTS.

Results

Measurement of MNA by US was >9 mm² in 27% of the hands. A good association with pain (p < 0.0001), paresthesia (p < 0.0001), Tinel test (p < 0.0001) and Phalen test (p < 0.0001) was found. According to the clinical criteria for classification of CTS from American Academy of Neurology the MNA by US had 64.8% of sensibility and 77.0% of specificity in this sample.

Conclusion

Measurement of MNA by US performs well and can be used as first option for the investigation of patients with CTS.

Keywords:
Carpal tunnel syndrome; Ultrasonography; Hand pain; Hand paresthesia