Clinical value of high frequency ultrasound in the diagnosis of nerve entrapment syndrome of upper limb

Abstract

Objective To explore the clinical value of high frequency ultrasound in the diagnosis of upper limb nerve entrapment syndrome. Methods From February 2016 to December 2018, 60 patients with upper limb nerve entrapment syndrome were selected as the observation group, while 60 healthy people who received routine physical examination during the same time period were selected as the control group. The differences of transverse diameter, anteroposterior diameter, cross-sectional area of wrist median nerve and elbow ulnar nerve were compared between the two groups. The sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome and cubital tunnel syndrome were analyzed with electromyography as the gold standard. Results The transverse diameter, anteroposterior diameter, cross-sectional area of wrist median nerve and elbow ulnar nerve in the observation group were larger than those in the control group (P<0.05). The sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography for carpal tunnel syndrome were 91.30% (42/46), 75.00% (3/4); and the sensitivity and specificity for cubital tunnel syndrome were 92.86% (26/28), 100.00% (2/2). Conclusion High-frequency ultrasound can effectively display the transverse diameter, anteroposterior diameter, cross-sectional area of wrist median nerve and elbow ulnar nerve, and has a high value in the diagnosis of upper limb nerve entrapment syndrome. Key words: Upper limb nerve entrapment syndrome; High frequency ultrasound; Electromyography