Introduction-The aim of our study was to evaluate the ability of ultrasound to diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome(CTS) in comparison to nerve conduction studies(NCS).Materials and methods-This prospective study included patents presenting to our institution with clinical symptoms suggestive of carpal tunnel syndrome.They underwent nerve conduction studies and ultrasound evaluation of the median nerve at the wrist joint.They were evaluated for three parametersarea of the median nerve at wrist, flattening ratio and flexor retinaculum bowing.Results-Out of the 30 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome by NCS, 26 had increased median nerve area by ultrasonography.This finding proved to be the single best criteria for diagnosis of CTS with a sensitivity of 86.67% and specificity of 87.5%.Twenty one of thirty patients had increased bowing of flexor retinaculum and this finding showed a sensitivity of 70% and specificity of 75%.Flattening ratio only had a sensitivity of 50% and specificity of 62.5%.Using a combination of criteria, the best sensitivity (70%) and specificity (100%) was obtained for the combination of median nerve area and flexor retinaculum bowing.Conclusion-This study confirms that USG is a reliable alternative to NCS in the diagnosis of CTS.
Therakathu et al. (Wed,) studied this question.