Correlation between median nerve conduction studies and ultrasonography in cases of carpal tunnel syndrome

Abstract

Background Nerve conduction studies (NCS) have long been the only objective measure used to confirm the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), localize median nerve abnormalities, and exclude alternative diagnosis. Ultrasonography (US) can give information about the contents of carpal tunnel (CT) as well as aid in assessing the size of the median nerve (MN). Aim The aim of this study was to detect the relation between median NCS and cross-sectional area (CSA) of the MN measured using US in different grades of CTS. Patients and methods This study was a case–control, age-group matched, cross-sectional one. It included 60 wrists of 30 patients diagnosed with CTS and 60 wrists from 30 controls. Candidates were subjected to clinical assessment, median NCS, and measurement of CSA using US. Results There was a significant positive correlation between CSA of the MN at CT inlet and both motor and sensory responses latencies (r=0.638, P Conclusion US is highly correlated to NCS results in CTS. CSA of the MN at CT inlet measured using ultrasonography can be used as a screening tool for detection as well as discrimination of severe cases of CTS.