The Inlet and Outlet Ratio: Retrospective and Prospective Study on an Improved Diagnostic Ultrasound Tool for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

This study hypothesized that ratios of sonographic cross-sectional areas (CSAs) throughout the median nerve provide a more reliable tool for diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) than a single CSA value. We first tested this hypothesis in a retrospective cohort and subsequently confirmed it in a prospective blinded case-control series.

Methods

Seventy patients were included in the retrospective study, and 50 patients and matched controls were included for the prospective study. We evaluated 4 CSAs, at the forearm, inlet, tunnel, outlet, and their ratios (Rforearm, Rinlet, Routlet, Routlet forearm) to evaluate compression of the median nerve. All patients underwent nerve conduction studies. For the prospective cohort, Disabilities of the

SUBMITTER: Hirsiger S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10264845 | biostudies-literature | 2023 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature