Standardized High-Resolution Ultrasound Protocol for the Diagnosis and Monitoring of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Mixed-Design Observational Study
<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common entrapment neuropathy. Traditional diagnostics like EMG and NCSs are invasive and do not visualize nerve morphology. This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic value of high-resolution ultrasonography i...
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2025-06-01
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| author | Fabiana Battaglia Luigi Troisi Emanuele Cigna Francesco Stagno d’Alcontres Vincenzo Rizzo Gabriele Delia |
| author_facet | Fabiana Battaglia Luigi Troisi Emanuele Cigna Francesco Stagno d’Alcontres Vincenzo Rizzo Gabriele Delia |
| author_sort | Fabiana Battaglia |
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| description | <b>Background/Objectives</b>: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common entrapment neuropathy. Traditional diagnostics like EMG and NCSs are invasive and do not visualize nerve morphology. This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic value of high-resolution ultrasonography in patients with CTS using a standardized scanning protocol and to evaluate the relationship between sonographic findings and traditional electrodiagnostic results. <b>Methods</b>: In this observational study with both prospective and retrospective components, 31 subjects were included. Between November 2023 and June 2024, 11 symptomatic CTS patients were scheduled for surgical decompression and 14 healthy controls were prospectively enrolled. Additionally, six post-surgical CTS patients who had undergone decompression between 2016 and 2021 were retrospectively included for comparative analysis. All underwent clinical and ultrasonographic assessments of the median nerve at predefined anatomical landmarks. EMG was performed in the CTS groups. Ultrasound was repeated at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively to monitor morphological changes. <b>Results</b>: CTS patients had significantly increased the median nerve CSA compared to controls. Postoperative ultrasound showed progressive CSA reduction correlating with clinical improvement and EMG recovery. The CSA correlated moderately to strongly with distal motor latency. <b>Conclusions</b>: High-resolution ultrasound is a reliable, non-invasive tool for diagnosing and monitoring CTS. Standardized protocols are needed to support broader clinical adoption and establish it as a standalone diagnostic method. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2075-4418 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| spelling | doaj-art-517ef3cf8a954e5087991b7b5503a0f22025-08-20T03:28:28ZengMDPI AGDiagnostics2075-44182025-06-011513159310.3390/diagnostics15131593Standardized High-Resolution Ultrasound Protocol for the Diagnosis and Monitoring of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Mixed-Design Observational StudyFabiana Battaglia0Luigi Troisi1Emanuele Cigna2Francesco Stagno d’Alcontres3Vincenzo Rizzo4Gabriele Delia5Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital of Messina “AOU Gaetano Martino”, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98124 Messina, ItalyIRCCS MultiMedica Group, University Department of Hand Surgery and Rehabilitation, San Giuseppe Hospital, 20123 Milan, ItalyPlastic Surgery and Microsurgery Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56122 Pisa, ItalyDepartment of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital of Messina “AOU Gaetano Martino”, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98124 Messina, ItalyDepartment of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, ItalyDepartment of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital of Messina “AOU Gaetano Martino”, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98124 Messina, Italy<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common entrapment neuropathy. Traditional diagnostics like EMG and NCSs are invasive and do not visualize nerve morphology. This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic value of high-resolution ultrasonography in patients with CTS using a standardized scanning protocol and to evaluate the relationship between sonographic findings and traditional electrodiagnostic results. <b>Methods</b>: In this observational study with both prospective and retrospective components, 31 subjects were included. Between November 2023 and June 2024, 11 symptomatic CTS patients were scheduled for surgical decompression and 14 healthy controls were prospectively enrolled. Additionally, six post-surgical CTS patients who had undergone decompression between 2016 and 2021 were retrospectively included for comparative analysis. All underwent clinical and ultrasonographic assessments of the median nerve at predefined anatomical landmarks. EMG was performed in the CTS groups. Ultrasound was repeated at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively to monitor morphological changes. <b>Results</b>: CTS patients had significantly increased the median nerve CSA compared to controls. Postoperative ultrasound showed progressive CSA reduction correlating with clinical improvement and EMG recovery. The CSA correlated moderately to strongly with distal motor latency. <b>Conclusions</b>: High-resolution ultrasound is a reliable, non-invasive tool for diagnosing and monitoring CTS. Standardized protocols are needed to support broader clinical adoption and establish it as a standalone diagnostic method.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/13/1593carpal tunnel syndromeultrasonographymedian nervecross-sectional areanon-invasive diagnosisnerve decompression |
| spellingShingle | Fabiana Battaglia Luigi Troisi Emanuele Cigna Francesco Stagno d’Alcontres Vincenzo Rizzo Gabriele Delia Standardized High-Resolution Ultrasound Protocol for the Diagnosis and Monitoring of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Mixed-Design Observational Study Diagnostics carpal tunnel syndrome ultrasonography median nerve cross-sectional area non-invasive diagnosis nerve decompression |
| title | Standardized High-Resolution Ultrasound Protocol for the Diagnosis and Monitoring of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Mixed-Design Observational Study |
| title_full | Standardized High-Resolution Ultrasound Protocol for the Diagnosis and Monitoring of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Mixed-Design Observational Study |
| title_fullStr | Standardized High-Resolution Ultrasound Protocol for the Diagnosis and Monitoring of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Mixed-Design Observational Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Standardized High-Resolution Ultrasound Protocol for the Diagnosis and Monitoring of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Mixed-Design Observational Study |
| title_short | Standardized High-Resolution Ultrasound Protocol for the Diagnosis and Monitoring of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Mixed-Design Observational Study |
| title_sort | standardized high resolution ultrasound protocol for the diagnosis and monitoring of carpal tunnel syndrome a mixed design observational study |
| topic | carpal tunnel syndrome ultrasonography median nerve cross-sectional area non-invasive diagnosis nerve decompression |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/13/1593 |
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