Sonographic Assessment of The Median Nerve in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome to assess the surgical importance and added value of superficial ultrasonography in assessment of the median nerve in CTS.

Abstract Objective: To assess the surgical importance and added value of superficial ultrasonography in assessment of the median nerve in CTS.

Methods: The study was conducted on thirty patients with CTS with electrophysiological confirmation; twelve males and eighteen females with mean age 43.93±4.51 (range 35-52y), and another thirty normal subjects; fifteen males and fifteen females, with their mean age 36.7±4.86 (range 29-45y). The cross sectional area (CSA) and flattening ratio (FR) at different levels were measured on both groups. Data from the study and control groups were compared. The accuracy of the ultrasonographic diagnostic criteria for CTS was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. All the patients had surgical carpal tunnel release and the operative details were correlated with the ultrasonographic data.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome

Exclusion Criteria:

• bifid median nerve, carpal tunnel mass lesions, persistent median artery

Thirty patients diagnosed as CTS were referred from the orthopedic clinics Another thirty healthy asymptomatic persons were included in this study as a control group