Evaluation of median nerve T2 signal changes in patients with surgically treated carpal tunnel syndrome (P6.141)

Objective: To determine the accuracy of median nerve T2 evaluation and its relation with Boston Questionnaire (BQ) and nerve conduction studies (NCSs) in pre-operative and post-operative carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) patients in comparison with healthy volunteers. Background: The development of non-invasive imaging techniques, such as ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which are capable of demonstrating the intrinsic signal of nerve, reveals the idea that management of entrapment neuropathies should include specialized nerve imaging and that these imaging techniques may become an alternative to invasive techniques. Design/Methods: Twenty-three CTS patients and 24 healthy volunteers underwent NCSs, median nerve T2 evaluation and self-administered BQ. Pre-operative and 1st year post-operative median nerve T2 values and cross-sectional areas (CSAs) were compared both within pre-operative and post-operative CTS groups, and with healthy volunteers. The relationship between MRI findings and BQ and NCSs was analyzed. The ROC curve analysis was used for determining the accuracy. Results: The comparison of pre-operative and post-operative T2 values and CSAs revealed statistically significant improvements in the post-operative patient group (p Conclusions: This study is the first to analyze T2 values in both pre-operative and post-operative CTS patients. The presence of increased T2 values in CTS patients compared to controls and excellent accuracy in hands with severe CTS indicates T2 signal changes related to CTS pathophysiology and possible utilization of T2 signal evaluation in hands with severe CTS. Disclosure: Dr. Samanci has nothing to disclose. Dr. Karagoz has nothing to disclose. Dr. Yaman has nothing to disclose. Dr. Atci has nothing to disclose. Dr. Emre has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kilickesmez has nothing to disclose. Dr. Celik has nothing to disclose.