Role of High-Resolution Ultrasonography in Evaluation of Median Nerve and Thickness of Flexor Retinaculum in Patients with Hypothyroidism

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the role of high resolution ultrasonography in evaluation of cross sectional area, maximum nerve fascicle thickness and thickness/width ratio of the median nerve and flexor retinaculum thickness in patients with hypothyroidism and to correlate it with the healthy volunteers. Material and Methods: A prospective study was conducted from February 2018 to October 2019 on 62 patients which included 32 clinically proven cases of hypothyroidism and 30 healthy volunteers. High resolution ultrasonography was performed using high frequency linear probes. Results: The most affected parameter was cross sectional area of median nerve at three levels, inlet/outlet ratio of CSA of the median nerve and thickness of flexor retinaculum in hypothyroidism patients in correlation with healthy volunteers. These parameters showed statistically significant p values. Maximum nerve fascicle thickness and thickness/width ratio of the median nerve showed no statistical significance in hypothyroid patients in correlation with healthy volunteers. Conclusion: High-resolution ultrasonography plays an important role in evaluating the changes occuring in cross sectional area of the median nerve, its inlet/outlet CSA ratio and flexor retinaculum thickness in hypothyroidism patients as correlated with the healthy volunteers.