Color Doppler Sonography in the Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Using a Quantitative Method.

"nIntroduction: The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy of color Doppler sonography in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome using a quantitative method. "nMaterials and Methods: It was a case control study. A total of 50 wrists with a clinical suspicion of carpal tunnel syndrome and 30 wrists without any signs and symptoms "nof CTS were examined with high-resolution sonography using a 7–15-MHz linear array transducer. The presence of nerve hypervascularization was evaluated with color Doppler sonography. Image processing was done for images obtained from the median nerve in the wrist and the sum of pixels of hypervascular area compared within two groups statically. "nSensitivity and specificity were calculated for quantitative hypervascularity as a sonographic feature in comparison with nerve conduction studies in the case group, as the standard of reference. "nResults: The mean median nerve cross-sectional area was 0.15 cm2 in patients with confirmed CTS by nerve conduction studies and 0.10 cm2 in controls. "nAnalysis showed that nerve hypervascularization was significantly higher in patients diagnosed with CTS in comparison with normal subjects (95% CI, p < 0.001). "nSignificant differences were also noted between the severity of CTS according to nerve conduction studies (mild-moderate, severe) and the number of hypervascularization within median nerve area in the patient's wrist (p < 0.001). "nConclusion: Quantitative color Doppler sonography is an accurate method for diagnosis and characterizing severity of median nerve involvement in patients with suspected carpal tunnel syndrome.