CORRELATION OF ULTRASONOGRAPHY AND ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL STUDIES IN CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME.

Corresponding Author:
Dr. Sreejith Kalathummarath,
Associate Professor,
Department of PMR,
Government Medical College,
Kottayam, Kerala, India.
E-mail: sreejithpmr@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most frequently encountered entrapment neuropathy caused by median nerve compression at wrist.

The aim of this study was to assess the correlation of ultrasonography and electrophysiological studies in carpal tunnel syndrome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross sectional study done over a period of one year in 60 patients with clinical features of carpal tunnel syndrome with electrophysiological studies and ultrasonography.

RESULTS

An excellent agreement is obtained between severity grading by ultrasonography and severity grading by electrophysiological studies. Cross sectional area of median nerve at inlet of the median nerve increases with the severity of carpal tunnel syndrome. Ultrasonography can pick up anatomical variations of the median nerve, the carpal tunnel and the other structures within carpal tunnel.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasonography can be considered for diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome and planning management.

KEY WORDS

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Ultrasonography, Electrophysiological Studies.