American Journal of Roentgenology
Volume 168, No. 2 February, 1997
HIGH RESOLUTION SONOGRAPHY
STATE OF THE ART COST EFFECTIVE TEST FOR DIAGNOSING CARPAL TUNNEL
SYNDROME
Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) was initially described in 1883 and the syndrome
has been increasingly diagnosed. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is caused by a
number of entities which cause compression on the median nerve within
the wrist. In its most severe form it is a chronic disabling condition.
A number of
tests have been used to diagnose Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Electrodiagnostic studies are the most common. However, a substantial
number of symptomatic patients may have equivocal or negative results.
When imaging studies are necessary, magnetic resonance has been the
procedure of choice. However, this is a relatively expensive
examination.
In the last
several years, there has been a great deal of interest in Sonography to
diagnose Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. This has been primarily due to advances
in digital imaging and new probes. Dynamic Sonography can be performed
on the wrist with excellent delineation of both the normal median nerve
or a compressed median nerve that defines carpal tunnel syndrome.
Dynamic Sonography is a painless examination performed with the patient
sitting. Sonography provides information as to why certain wrist motions
predispose the patient to symptoms. Using Sonography, Carpal Tunnel
Syndrome is diagnosed rapidly and at a significantly lower cost (less
than half) than magnetic resonance imaging or electrodiagnostic studies.
Since
Sonography is only used in a relatively small number of centers, there
are only a few references in the use of Sonography to diagnose Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome. Familiarity with Sonography will help the treating
physician diagnose this potentially severe neuropathy. Sonography has
the advantage of high accuracy and low cost in assessing patients with
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Please
contact us if you would like a
copy of the complete article about the use of Sonography in diagnosing
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
For further
information contact:
Thomas
Grant, D.O.
Associate Professor of Clinical Radiology
University of Chicago/Weiss Memorial Hospital
E-mail:
ThomasG319@aol.com
