High frequency ultrasonography in the diagnosis of carpel tunnel syndrome

Abstract

Objective To analyze the efficacy of high-frequency ultrasound in the clinical diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), and to study the suitable diagnostic indicators and criteria of CTS for Chinese population. Methods High-frequency ultrasound was used to scan the median nerves of 67 CTS wrists and 67 normal wrists at the entrance, the middle and the outlet of carpal tunnels, and measured the cross-sectional area, diameter and flattening rate. Statistical analysis was used to evaluate the sensitivity, specificity, and AUC of ROC curve of the different parts of carpal tunnels. Results Compared with normal subjects, the CTS patients has larger cross-sectional area, diameter and flattening value of the median nerve in different parts of the carpal tunnel, and the differences are statistically significant (all P>0.05). Among the measured indicators, the cross-sectional area of the median nerve at the entrance of the carpal tunnel has a better AUC value and good diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. Conclusion High-frequency ultrasonography has potential clinical significance for CTS diagnosis. The cross-sectional area of the median nerve at the entrance of the carpal tunnel can be used as a CTS diagnostic indicator for Chinese population, and it has good diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. Key words: High frequency ultrasound; Carpal tunnel syndrome; Median nerve; Diagnosis