Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: What Is the Diagnostic Value of Usg with High Resolution Transducers?

Abstract

Objective: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common peripheral entrapment neuropathy, caused by the entrapment of the median nerve. Ultrasonography (USG) has been used as a cost-effective and comfortable technique in the examination of the carpal tunnel and the median nerve in the last decade. Material and Methods: Thirty-five wrists of 21 patients with the signs, symptoms and electromyelography (EMG) confirmed diagnosis of CTS and 40 wrists of healthy adults were evaluated by ultrasonography (USG), performed with a 7.5-12 MHz transducer. Results: All of the 35 wrists of 21 patients with CTS diagnosed by EMG and 40 wrists of 20 healthy adults were diagnosed accurately. Conclusion: USG may be performed as a first step test in the diagnosis of suspected CTS.