Ultrasonography as a tool in diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome

Abstract Objective We aimed to determine the value of ultrasonography (US) in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Methods Two hundred patients (400 hands) were submitted to wrist US to measure median nerve area (MNA), questioning on paresthesia and pain in the median nerve territory, Tinel and Phalen maneuvers. An MNA >9 mm 2 was considered diagnostic of CTS. Results Measurement of MNA by US was >9 mm 2 in 27% of the hands. A good association with pain ( p p p p Conclusion Measurement of MNA by US performs well and can be used as first option for the investigation of patients with CTS.