Dynamics of structures within the carpal tunnel may alter in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) due to fibrotic changes and increased carpal tunnel pressure. Ultrasound can visualize these potential changes, making ultrasound potentially an accurate diagnostic tool. To study this, we imaged the carpal tunnel of 113 patients and 42 controls. CTS severity was classified according to validated clinical and nerve conduction study (NCS) classifications. Transversal and longitudinal displacement and shape (changes) were calculated for the median nerve, tendons and surrounding tissue. To predict diagnostic value binary logistic regression modeling was applied. Reduced longitudinal nerve displacement (p≤0.019), increased nerve cross-sectional area (p≤0.006) and perimeter (p≤0.007), and a trend of relatively changed tendon displacements were seen in patients. Changes were more convincing when CTS was classified as more severe. Binary logistic modeling to diagnose CTS using ultrasound showed a sensitivity of 70-71% and specificity of 80-84%. In conclusion, CTS patients have altered dynamics of structures within the carpal tunnel.
Rationale and Objectives: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common peripheral nerve entrapment syndrome. Strong pinch or grip with wrist flexion has been considered a risk factor for CTS. Studying median nerve displacement during wrist movements may provide useful information about median nerve kinematic changes in CTS patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the deformability and mobility of the median nerve in CTS patients compared to healthy subjects. Materials and Methods: Dynamic ultrasound images were obtained in 20 affected wrists of 13 patients with CTS. Results were compared to complementary data obtained from both wrists of 10 healthy subjects reported in a previous study. Initial and final median nerve shape and position were measured and analyzed for six defined wrist movements. The deformation ratios for each movement were defined as the median nerve area, perimeter and circularity of the final position normalized by respective values assessed in the initial position. The median nerve displacement vector and magnitude were also calculated. Results: The deformation ratio for circularity was significant less in CTS patients compared to healthy subjects during wrist flexion (P<0.05). The mean vector of median nerve displacement during wrist flexion was significantly different between CTS patients and healthy subjects (P<0.05). The displacement magnitude of the median nerve was found to be less in CTS patients compared to healthy subjects during most movements, with the exception of wrist extension with fingers extended. Conclusions: CTS Patients differ from normal subjects with regard to mobility and deformability of the median nerve.
The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, a compression neuropathy of the median nerve at the wrist, are aggravated by wrist motion, but the effect of these motions on median nerve motion are unknown. In order to better understand the biomechanics of the abnormal nerve, it is first necessary to understand normal nerve movement. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the deformation and displacement of the normal median nerve at the proximal carpal tunnel level on transverse ultrasound images during different wrist movements, in order to have a baseline for comparison with abnormal movements. Dynamic ultrasound images were obtained in both wrists of 10 asymptomatic volunteers during wrist maximal flexion, extension and ulnar deviation. In order to simplify the analysis, the initial and final shape and position of the median nerve were measured and analyzed. The circularity of the median nerve was significantly increased and the aspect ratio and perimeter were significantly decreased in the final image compared to that in the first image during wrist flexion with finger extension, wrist flexion with finger flexion and wrist ulnar deviation with finger extension (p<0.01). There were significant differences in median nerve displacement vector between finger flexion, wrist flexion with finger extension and wrist ulnar deviation with finger extension (all p<0.001). The mean amplitudes of the median nerve motion in wrist flexion with finger extension (2.36±0.79 NU), wrist flexion with finger flexion (2.46±0.84 NU) and wrist ulnar deviation with finger extension (2.86±0.51 NU) were higher than those in finger flexion (0.82±0.33 NU), wrist extension with finger extension (0.77±0.46 NU) and wrist extension with finger flexion (0.81±0.58 NU) (p<0.0001). In the normal carpal tunnel, wrist flexion and ulnar deviation could induce significant transverse displacement and deformation of the median nerve.
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