< Terug naar vorige pagina

Publicatie

Comparing a New Ultrasound Approach with Electrodiagnostic Studies to Confirm Clinically Defined Carpal Tunnel Syndrome A Prospective, Blinded Study

Tijdschriftbijdrage - Tijdschriftartikel

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to compare electrodiagnostic (EDX) confirmation of clinical diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) with ultrasonography (US), using a new set of normal values taking wrist circumference of subjects into account, and to determine whether EDX examination can be replaced by US to confirm CTS. DESIGN: A prospective cohort of 156 patients with idiopathic CTS underwent US and EDX studies. Upper levels of normal cross-sectional area of the median nerve were established by taking wrist circumference into account and using linear regression equations. RESULTS: Of the selected patients, 83.3% met the EDX criteria for CTS. The findings from the US were normal in 67 (42.9%) of 156 patients, and within this group, the findings from the EDX were abnormal in 44 patients (65.7%). Of 89 patients with abnormal findings from the US, only 3 patients had normal findings from the EDX. CONCLUSIONS: US cannot replace EDX for confirmation of clinical diagnosis of CTS. However, an abnormal US test result has a high positive predictive value for abnormal EDX result in clinically defined CTS. US might reveal relevant anatomic information preoperatively that rarely has a direct influence on treatment management of patients with CTS. US testing, taking morphometric data into account, does not have the same diagnostic value as EDX does in confirming CTS.
Tijdschrift: American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
ISSN: 0894-9115
Issue: 11
Volume: 92
Pagina's: 1005 - 1011
Jaar van publicatie:2013