Use of Cross-Sectional Area of Median Nerve in Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Background: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is the most common entrapment neuropathy. It occurs due to compression of median nerve in the wrist. This study evaluates the usefulness of Cross-Sectional Area (CSA) of the median nerve in the diagnosis of CTS. The aim of the study was to determining the diagnostic value of cross-sectional area of median nerve in CTS.  Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 86 cases of CTS (59 patients) and 16 normal subjects as the control group underwent ultrasonography of the wrist. The results of ultrasonography of two groups were compared.  Results: The data showed a significant difference in the CSA of median nerve between the patients with CTS and control group and also we observed significant difference in CSA of the median nerve according to grading of CTS based on Nerve Conduction Study (NCS).  Conclusion: Based on the study results, determining CSA of median nerve can be an effective method in CTS evaluation.

Keywords:

Carpal tunnel syndrome , Ultrasonography , Cross-sectional area of median nerve