Diagnostic Significance of Ultrasonography in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Comparison with Electrodiagnostic Tests
2 Başkent Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Radyoloji Anabilim Dalı, Ankara
Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic sensitivity of ultrasonographical and electrophysiological parameters in carpal tunnel syndrome, and investigate their association with clinical symptoms and data.
Materials and Methods: A total of 100 wrists of 54 patients clinically pre-diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome and 45 wrists of 25 healthy individuals were evaluated in this present study. Both groups underwent electroneuromyographical and ultrasonographical investigation. Scores were established in the patient group by utilizing symptom severity and functional status scales.
Results: No significant correlation was established between the duration of the symptoms and electrophysiological and ultrasonographical parameters. Of the 100 symptomatic wrists, 80 wrists had pathology in at least one electrophysiological parameter indicating carpal tunnel syndrome. Ultrasonographical examination revealed that the median nerve cross-sectional area was above the normal range in 19% of the patients at the radioulnar level, in 33% of the patients at the pisiform level and in 18% of the patients at the hamate hook level. No significant correlation was observed between electrophysiological and ultrasonographical parameters in general.
Conclusion: The data obtained in this study indicated that the diagnostic sensitivity of ultrasonographical parameters was considerably lower than that of the electrophysiological parameters in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.
Keywords : Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, ultrasonography, electrophysiological parameters