Diagnostic Accuracy of Clinical Tests for Morton's Neuroma Compared With Ultrasonography

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of 7 clinical tests for Morton's neuroma (MN) compared with ultrasonography (US). Forty patients (54 feet) were diagnosed with MN using predetermined clinical criteria. These patients were subsequently referred for US, which was performed by a single, experienced musculoskeletal radiologist. The clinical test results were compared against the US findings. MN was confirmed on US at the site of clinical diagnosis in 53 feet (98%). The operational characteristics of the clinical tests performed were as follows: thumb index finger squeeze (96% sensitivity, 96% accuracy), Mulder's click (61% sensitivity, 62% accuracy), foot squeeze (41% sensitivity, 41% accuracy), plantar percussion (37% sensitivity, 36% accuracy), dorsal percussion (33% sensitivity, 26% accuracy), and light touch and pin prick (26% sensitivity, 25% accuracy). No correlation was found between the size of MN on US and the positive clinical tests, except for Mulder's click. The size of MN was significantly larger in patients with a positive Mulder's click (10.9 versus 8.5 mm, p = .016). The clinical assessment was comparable to US in diagnosing MN. The thumb index finger squeeze test was the most sensitive screening test for the clinical diagnosis of MN.